Syngenta has announced a decision to increase investment in its UK manufacturing and R&D sites by more than £100 million. The investments will enable the company to meet increasing demand for its crop protection products as growers seek to maximize crop yields.
Over £75 million, which is part of a phased global expansion program of around £300 million, will be invested at existing production sites in Grangemouth, Scotland and Huddersfield. Most of this additional investment will be made at Grangemouth, where the facility will be expanded over the next three years to accommodate a significant increase in production of azoxystrobin, the active ingredient for the world's leading fungicide, Amistar.
A further £35 million will be invested at the R&D centre at Jealott's Hill in Berkshire, which focuses on the development of new herbicides, new formulations and product safety. The investment will enhance the centre's industry-leading technological capability and will further accelerate the delivery of new products to market.
These investments will reinforce Syngenta's position as one of the country's 25 largest investors in R&D, while underlining its contribution to UK manufacturing and exports.
Mark Peacock, Head of Global Operations at Syngenta, said: "Global food supply needs to increase by 50 percent over the next 20 years if growing demand is to be met. The use of crop protection products is an immediate and sustainable way to increase agricultural productivity. Today's announcement will enable Syngenta and the UK to play a leading role in providing growers around the world with the tools they need to protect and improve yield."
