Syngenta opens new life sciences manufacturing facility
- First batch rolls off production line after £50m investment to upgrade production unit and secure jobs
- Opening marks start of envisioned new era of life sciences advanced manufacturing and industrial activity at the site with transition of existing assets and third-party investment
- Minister for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson, OBE backs Syngenta’s investment in the town
Civic dignitaries and invited guests gathered at Syngenta Huddersfield to celebrate as the first batch of the company’s revolutionary plant protecting product, PLINAZOLIN® technology, produced in the town, was prepared for distribution worldwide, following a £50M refit of one of its production units. The life sciences investment in the site is a critical step in renewing the company’s product portfolio manufactured in Huddersfield and secures future skilled jobs.
Syngenta Huddersfield, one of Yorkshire’s largest science-based manufacturers, is to become the largest producer of advanced stages of PLINAZOLIN® technology, a new active ingredient that protects plant health against pests.
Global company, Syngenta, spent around £50m re-engineering one of its large-scale production lines to support the delivery of the unique PLINAZOLIN® technology. The innovative pest control product delivers a new standard of performance, particularly against pests for which existing products no longer can provide effective control. It provides an effective solution in resistance management strategies and replaces older, less effective chemistries, requiring fewer applications aimed at improving crop productivity and quality.
The multimillion-pound capital investment at Huddersfield has been used to convert an existing production plant on the site into an advanced facility to manufacture the life sciences product, to be sold in more than 40 countries around the world. The firm is targeting key markets in India and South America initially, where persistent pest pressure seriously threatens specific crop yields such as soyabean, corn, rice, coffee and cotton.
Harpreet Uppal MP, Member of Parliament for Huddersfield, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Amongst invited guests to witness this milestone occasion for the major local employer were, Mayor of Kirklees, Nosheen Dad, Council Leader, Carole Pattison and Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet member Finance and Regeneration.
Commenting on the occasion, Minister for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson OBE said: “This investment is great news for Huddersfield and yet another vote of confidence in the UK economy. We have the most open, stable and connected economy in the world – and our Plan for Change will encourage international companies to invest here, delivering long-term growth that supports good, skilled jobs across the country."
Syngenta UK President, Mike Hollands said; “The opening of the PLINAZOLIN® technology facility at Syngenta Huddersfield is a major milestone, bringing an important new active ingredient into scaled production. The application of life sciences research, much of it also done in the UK, to develop new, highly advanced agrochemicals, such as PLINAZOLIN® technology, remains critical to support farmers worldwide, to meet global food demands sustainably and viably. PLINAZOLIN® technology, will play an important role in helping farmers tackle serious challenges from insect pests. The opening also marks the start of what we hope is a period of ongoing transition for our Huddersfield site, as we look to update and refit existing facilities to manufacture a new generation of life sciences products.”
Site manager, Dave Steele said: “It’s a privilege for the Huddersfield manufacturing campus to be the largest manufacturer in the world to produce advanced stages of this innovative product. Alongside our existing product portfolio, manufacturing key active ingredients like PLINAZOLIN® technology here in Huddersfield means we can secure jobs for the future. This investment is an important step as we look to transition and further develop the Huddersfield campus, bringing in new products to replace older ones over time. The growth profile of PLINAZOLIN® technology is central to our plans for creating a sustainable manufacturing campus as we also look to invite other companies to establish operations here, bringing significant investment and jobs to the town.
The campus in Huddersfield could see a range of advanced manufacturing, life sciences and sustainability-focused businesses benefitting from Syngenta’s impressive existing on-site infrastructure as it continues with its ambitions of reducing its carbon footprint. The release of land to third parties is projected to have the potential to support up to 300 new jobs and boost the local economy by a further £45m* on top of the £140m GVA and 1,000 jobs that the Syngenta operations already underpin.
One of the companies currently exploring the possibility of joining the already thriving site utilised by Syngenta, Lubrizol, Arxada and Bulk Tainer, is Indaver, a leading European waste management company, specialising in sustainable recycling facilities, which could complement Syngenta’s manufacture of PLINAZOLIN® technology, embodying the principles of a circular economy.
With this Civic celebration having taken place the day before International Women’s Day (8th March 2025) the huge contribution to the company’s success that women in life sciences have played was also celebrated. This took the shape of a Q&A panel with several of Syngenta’s leading female employees who have been instrumental in the successful re-engineering of the production unit for PLINAZOLIN® technology manufacture.
Dave Steele added: “Syngenta is a hugely diverse employer, rich in talent of people from all backgrounds and experiences. In support of International Women’s Day, we celebrate all of the women who have contributed to the journey of PLINAZOLIN® technology, in bringing this innovative technology to market.
“For all of our people, our future is exciting as part of the Syngenta family, making truly unique products which play an important role in securing our food supply. The company is always assessing potential projects for investment in the UK, and we have worked hard to deliver on PLINAZOLIN® technology and secure continued investment in our operations.
“We have the skills and the knowledge in Huddersfield to meet a fast-paced supply chain. With Syngenta’s continued investment in assets and people, we also have the ability to quickly respond to customer needs.”
