Industry is the winner at this year’s Chemicals Northwest Awards

THE region’s £10bn chemical industry celebrated its achievements last night at the 2010 Chemicals Northwest Awards.

Building on the success of 2009’s inaugural awards, last night’s event showcased the North West’s world-class chemical companies at a prestigious black-tie dinner at The Midland, Manchester.

Flying the flag for industry in the UK was Liverpool-based RS Clare & Company Ltd, who scooped the Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year award from a shortlist of four.

Preston-based company Evans Vanodine International plc was awarded the International Trade title while Axion Polymers, who are based in Salford, took home the Environmental Technology for the Chemical Industry Award.

In total, 24 North West companies were shortlisted for nine categories from scores of entries.

Three individuals were also shortlisted for the new Young Achiever in the North West Chemical Sector category, with Paul Staniland of Widnes-based Croda Europe, taking the eventual accolade both for his scientific achievements and his role as a lead ambassador for Croda’s community projects.

Chemicals Northwest CEO, Jenny Clucas, explained that the Awards aim to highlight the superb work of local companies that ensures the region remains the largest chemical producing area in the country.

Dr Clucas said: “It was a great evening and amazing to be able to celebrate our local companies’ achievements of the last 12 months.

“We are only able to do this because we have such a strong and diverse chemical industry in the region.

“Again, companies have proven that they are still investing in skills, innovation and sustainable development in order to improve their businesses and that they have not dropped corporate social responsibility activities from their agendas.

“These Awards prove that North West chemical companies are continuing to become more sustainable, are increasingly innovating, and are finding more and more overseas opportunities.

“We are especially pleased to award the Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year Award to RS Clare for the work that they have done over the years both with Chemicals Northwest and for the wider industry.“

Tony Bastock, group managing director Contract Chemicals and Chemicals Northwest chairman, said: “The chemical industry employs more than 50,000 people in the region and it these individuals who are developing business and promoting the chemical industry.

“We are delighted to be able to acknowledge the hard work of people like Paul Staniland and the staff at RS Clare and hope it inspires others to step up to the mark.”

Chemicals Northwest is a cluster organisation which supports the region’s chemical industry and has 145 members. It is a not-for-profit organisation jointly funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Vanda Murray OBE, deputy chair of the NWDA and chair of Business Link Northwest, added: "The chemical sector contributes a staggering £10bn to the Northwest economy. This industry deserves recognition and it is great to be able to highlight the expertise that we have here in our region through the second Chemicals Northwest Awards.

“I have heard tonight about how companies are being more innovative and sustainable in the current climate and I hope that these Awards will not only inspire companies and their employees but also help to improve the public view of the chemical industry.

“It was clear that this year’s Awards built on the success of 2009 and I am sure they will continue to go from strength-to-strength in future years.”