Syngenta’s Huddersfield site gets £50 million refit

A major investment in Yorkshire’s life sciences sector is set to strengthen local manufacturing and global agricultural supply chains.

Syngenta Huddersfield, one of two UK production facilities owned by the Basel-headquartered global agricultural company, has completed a £50 million refit of one of its production units.

Bosses say the investment marks a “major milestone” for the site, helping secure future skilled jobs and positioning it as the largest global producer of PLINAZOLIN® technology, an innovative pest control product designed to tackle resistance issues and improve crop yields. 

They add that the upgraded facility will support Syngenta’s export strategy, targeting key markets such as India and South America, where pests pose a significant threat to crops such as soybeans, rice and cotton.

Mike Hollands, Syngenta UK President, said: “The opening of the PLINAZOLIN® technology facility at Syngenta Huddersfield is a major milestone, bringing an important new active ingredient into scaled production. 

“PLINAZOLIN® technology, will play an important role in helping farmers tackle serious challenges from insect pests.” 

The investment also aims to attract third-party businesses and expand advanced manufacturing activity, with European waste management company Indaver among those exploring opportunities to join the site. 

Beyond Syngenta’s operations, officials say the site could support up to 300 new jobs and contribute an additional £45 million to the local economy. 

Dave Steele, site manager at Syngenta Huddersfield, added: “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 facility’s transformation was celebrated with a civic event attended by Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal and Mayor of Kirklees Nosheen Dad, as well as several local councillors, who unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

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