WIGAN, UK — Bitrez Ltd., a manufacturer of specialist polymers and chemicals, has won two innovation awards, one from Make UK (previously EEF) and the other from Made in the North West, for its Curaphen and Curamine products. Both ceremonies were held virtually due to the pandemic.

Bitrez was also awarded runner up in the SME of the year category by Make UK in recognition of its work in supporting local charities and academic institutes.

Paul Jones, Bitrez Ltd. Managing Director and formulator of the products, said, “I’m delighted that Bitrez has won both the Make UK Innovation Award and Made in the North West Manufacturing Innovation award. Using creative chemistry to develop innovative products that resolve regulatory and technical problems is our raison d’être. These awards pay tribute to everyone at Bitrez who worked so hard to bring the products to market, as well as the continued loyalty of our customers and suppliers.”

June Smith, Region Director for Make UK in the North of England, said, “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector has been at the heart of delivering during the crisis, and as we re-build our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

Dick Elsy CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Make UK award sponsor, said, “Companies that grasp the innovation opportunity are among the most competitive and most productive in global markets. That’s why innovation is the lifeblood of the UK economy, with the HVM Catapult driving growth and success in the manufacturing sector. To recognize the achievements of extraordinary innovators, we are proud to sponsor the Make UK Innovation Award for 2020.”

Bitrez will now go forward to the national finals of the Make UK awards to compete against other regional winners across the UK.

Established in 1982, Bitrez offers a range of services from R&D to toll conversion as well as technical support. Its team of chemists can produce materials from laboratory scale through a transient pilot stage to enable scale up and allow for small-scale qualification work before moving to commercial manufacture.