Recycling and industrial biotechnology innovator, Recircle, has relocated to the North West’s sci-tech hotspot, Daresbury Science Park, with a new, tailor-made workspace combining a trifecta of laboratory spaces with modern offices.
Its work is dedicated to keeping valuable rubber materials within the resource stream by transforming end-of-life rubber waste into premium quality and high-performing compounds. Its breakthroughs are helping to minimise deforestation and the demand for the harmful oils present in rubber manufacturing.
Quadrupling its existing operational capacity, the 5,000 sq ft facility has assisted its work across biotechnology, engineering, polymer science and rubber technology. It also represents the first time the company’s unique suite of laboratories has been situated under one roof.
Its rubber lab brings together advanced material testing instruments and sensitive analytical equipment. They ensure quality and rubber material developmental research is fully controlled and characterised in-house.
In its biotechnology labs, these have been designed to allow the business to conduct fundamental research into testing and recycling, using a cold room for temperature-sensitive experiments and a suite of equipment including an ultracentrifuge, shaker reactors, and bioreactors.
Moving from two separate sites in Hertford, the move is helping to support the business’s rapid growth. Its innovative new space is the first of its kind in the UK and will help it to attract best-in-class talent as it eyes marked progress and exponential growth in its operations.
The location provides access to an energy-efficient building featuring carbon-neutral materials, and the new facility ties into the company’s vision for sustainability.
The project was delivered by workspace design & fit-out specialist Eatock Design & Build (EDB) over a 12-week timeframe. The Wigan-based firm provided full CAT A & CAT B works, turning an empty shell space into three unique lab spaces, a cold room, a modern, open-plan office space, a kitchen, bathrooms, and an emergency showering facility.
Chief executive officer Dr Barry Van Bergen said: “The new workspace is an exciting milestone for Recircle as it brings together all our advanced biotech research and rubber recycling technology in one state-of-the-art facility. Our people are what make Recircle great and you can feel real energy and enthusiasm in the team in the new space.
“The design encourages collaboration and knowledge transfer, and it helps us attract, retain, and motivate our amazing team. We are continuing to grow, invest in the local area and build on our commitment to delivering desperately needed sustainability solutions for the world’s rubber.”
Recircle has already hired new staff at its Warrington HQ and is expecting to double its employee numbers over the next 12 months.
