SEVERAL Cheshire companies found the formula for success in the first Chemicals North West awards.
And others from around the county were short-listed in the awards, announced at the Hilton, Manchester.
The event’s aim was to highlight why the region is still the largest chemical producing area in the UK, with a £10bn industry.
Despite the wider economic problems, Chemicals Northwest CEO Dr Jenny Clucas said local firms were continuing to become more sustainable, increasingly innovating, and finding more overseas opportunities.
Fourteen companies were shortlisted for seven awards from dozens of entries.
Widnes-based company Pentagon Fine Chemicals scooped the inaugural Company of the Year Award for its active promotion of the chemical industry in the region. It beat R S Clare in Liverpool, and Multisol in Manchester. The other winners and runners-up are:
Innovation Award: Winner - MacDermid, Wigan; runners-up - Colloids, Knowsley, IOTA NanoSolutions, Liverpool.
Sustainable Manufacturing Award: Winner - Innospec, Ellesmere Port; runners-up - Crown Paints, Darwen; R S Clare, Liverpool.
Investor in Training: Winner - Brunner Mond, Northwich; runner-up - Pentagon Chemicals, Widnes/ Liverpool.
Best Community Project: Winner - Solvay, Warrington; runners-up - Air Products, Crewe; Incorez, Preston; SAFC Hitech, Ellesmere Port.
