High value jobs at new St Andrews technology company

A dozen high value, high skilled jobs have been saved with the creation of a new technology company at the University of St Andrews.

Drochaid Research Services Ltd has taken on the employees of Sasol UK Ltd following the closure of their St Andrews laboratory.

The University stepped in with a financial package of £700,000 and the promise of access to key research equipment to support the new company, which will carry out contract research and development in the areas of catalysis, materials science and chemical technology.

The name Drochaid, the Scots Gaelic word for bridge, was chosen because of the company’s ability to span the gap from invention to commercialisation, connect industry and academia, and straddle important sectors such as chemicals, energy, materials, the environment and the circular economy.

This position is strengthened by the company’s co-location and ongoing partnership with the University of St Andrews.

Drochaid Managing Director Professor Robert Tooze said: “We are already getting significant industrial interest and further building our links with academia, both nationally and internationally.

“The need for the efficient utilisation of both materials and energy in the products that we all rely on is increasingly well understood. Catalysis is a key enabling technology in this process.

“This combined with its pivotal role in addressing societal challenges such as combatting climate change, providing clean water, low carbon energy, the conversion of renewable resources and pollution control means that catalysis will only grow in importance.

“Working closely with our customers Drochaid Research Services aim to be at the forefront of this technology.”

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS / INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office. Contact Steve Bargeton, on 01334 467310 / 01334 462530 / 07802376860 or [email protected]