BP Chemicals Ltd, a world-class chemicals manufacturer, established Saltend Chemicals Park in 2009. Today a number of leading organisations operate on the 370-acre site, sharing an established infrastructure and extensive provision of services, feedstocks and utilities, enabling them to drive down costs, increase efficiency and boost profitability.

Saltend Chemicals Park is the European centre for BP’s Acetyls Business Unit and BP own and operate 2 world-scale acetyls plants here.

These plants are the largest producers of Acetic Acid in Europe.

Acetic acid plays an important part in the manufacture of films, fibres, fabric, washing powder and food packaging. Acetic Anhydride, also produced here on site, is used in making cellulose acetate which is found in textiles and plastics. It is also used in pharmaceuticals.

HRTC is a world-class research centre, with strong focus on process technology, providing an integrated technical offer for catalyst discovery, process development and commercialisation. It has a track record of commercialising 3 processes in the last 15 years.

Expert chemistry and catalysis skills are matched with advanced experimental techniques, including High Throughput Experimentation, bench scale chemistry, autoclaves and once through units. Pilot/demonstration units are operated continuously with full maintenance, engineering and analytical support.

Throughout design, commissioning, licensing and continuous improvement, the new processes and manufacturing plants are supported by a team of engineers and scientists from within HRTC.