Croda invests in biopharma innovation with expanded Super Refined™ facility in Leek, UK

8 September 2025: Croda International Plc (“Croda”), the company that uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, continues to invest in the evolving world of biopharmaceutical manufacturing where consistency and purity in ingredients are critical. For Croda, that focus has driven decades of investment in high purity excipient technology, most recently in the expansion of its Leek, UK site –alongside continued investments in the USA and Japan – to expand production of its Super Refined™ range.

This major step forward supports the launch of Super Refined™ Poloxamer 188, a highly purified fast-dissolving granular excipient. This poloxamer has been meticulously engineered for bioprocessing applications, particularly in shear-stress protection for critical applications in cell culture and biopharmaceutical formulations.

The expansion of our facility in Leek, Staffordshire, not only boosts Croda’s production capabilities, but also demonstrates our commitment to investment in the local economy, with the creation of new roles in engineering, operations, quality control, and logistics. It is a tangible example of Croda’s purpose to use Smart science to improve lives™.

Thomas Riermeier, President of Life Sciences commented: "With our Super Refined Poloxamer 188, our customers will benefit from enhanced performance in their cell culture media used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. We’ve invested in an exciting new technology and remain committed to innovating together for growth with our customers and partners.”

Jenny Smith, the Technical Projects Manager who coordinated the key site technical projects to enable the manufacture and successful launch to market of the Poloxamer added: “This project underscores our continued leadership in advancing biologics delivery. This is a clear demonstration of how our commercial and operational teams have worked together to commission the plant and subsequently launch the product, going from the ground up to validated production in 15 months.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Mariana Wood, Croda Press Office
+447780987136
media.enquiries@croda.com

Notes to Editors

About Croda 

Croda is a speciality chemicals company that creates high performance ingredients and solutions principally for Consumer Care and Life Sciences markets. Established 100 years ago in 1925 and headquartered in the UK, Croda is a FTSE 100 company with over 5,800 employees across 94 locations in 36 countries. Revenues in 2024 were £1.6bn. With a shared Purpose to use Smart science to improve lives™, and with around two thirds of its organic raw materials already from bio-based sources, Croda has committed to be the most sustainable supplier of innovative ingredients, becoming Climate, Land and People Positive by 2030 while providing solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. 
 
To find out more about Croda visit: www.croda.com