From Chemicals to Biotech
Greater Grimsby is at the centre of a major concentration of process industries, which in the wider Humber region employs around 15,000 people in 120 companies. The process industries are incredibly diverse and include petrochemicals; commodity and speciality chemicals; composite materials; pigments and paints; and pharmaceuticals.
The cluster in Greater Grimsby continues to attract global players from the chemical, pharmaceutical and allied industries. Major players locally include:
- ConocoPhillips – US energy giant that operates the Humber Refinery
- Novartis - employs more than 500 people at its Grimsby site
- Ciba - operates a 50-acre manufacturing facility in Grimsby
- Cristal Group - Saudi-owned chemicals company in Immingham
- China National Bluestar Corporation - one of China's fastest growing chemical groups
World-class Refining
The Humber Refinery is one of the most sophisticated in Europe. It is a fully integrated plant that produces light products and fuel oil. It is the only coking refinery in the UK, the world’s largest producer of specialty graphite cokes and the largest anode coke producer in Europe.
Proven Supply Chain
All around Greater Grimsby, there are hundreds of specialist construction, engineering, logistics and many other service companies that provide a vital supply-chain to the major manufacturers in the process industries. Leading engineering firms include Jacobs Engineering Group BIS OHARE and Jex Engineering.
Humber Chemical Focus
In the last ten years, Humber Chemical Focus has grown into one of the UK’s leading regional chemical initiatives with more than 100 members. The HCF works with companies and organisations within the region to create and support the industry.
Skills for Tomorrow
CATCH, the Centre for the Assessment of Technical Competence – Humber is a unique £8 million training facility for the process industries. It is able to simulate a chemical plant without the risks of handling dangerous substances at high temperatures and pressures.
Materials of the Future
The growth in advanced materials and composites is a major opportunity for the process industries in the Grimsby area. This has particular significance given our emerging role as a key hub location for renewable energy, in particular offshore wind energy.
Convergence and Opportunities
Grimsby’s concentration of food processing companies presents several areas of opportunity for companies involved in biotechnology, ranging from potential use of fish waste in biotech research; extraction of Omega-3 oils from fish; development of functional; and the use of microorganisms in the food-processing industry.
For more information on the benefits of locating your next process industries project here:
Kate Walker, North East Lincolnshire Council
01472 325967
kate@ports-uk.com