Speciality enzyme manufacturer establishes new EMEA hub at Oxfordshire's Milton Park

By Simon Toft

22 November 2022

Share

The Business Magazine article image for: Speciality enzyme manufacturer establishes new EMEA hub at Oxfordshire's Milton Park

Amano Enzyme, the world’s leading manufacturer of speciality enzymes, has established its new Europe, Middle East and Africa hub in Oxfordshire.

The Japanese biotech company has become part of the science, technology and business community at Milton Park, occupying 5,682 sq ft of office and laboratory space at 25 Western Avenue.

The move to Milton Park coincides with the company’s 30th anniversary in the UK, while 2023 will mark its 40th anniversary in Europe.

It has plans for a significant recruitment drive across R&D, sales and customer service roles, which will see the company nearly double its workforce at Milton Park in the coming years.

Founded in 1899, Amano Enzyme originally started as a pharmaceutical firm before moving into enzyme development in 1948.

Since then the company has greatly expanded its product offering, becoming the largest manufacturer of its kind in Japan and one of the largest in the US.

Enzymes are biological proteins that act as catalysts in living organisms, to speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Amano Enzyme develops and manufactures high-grade speciality enzyme solutions with specific applications across the food, dietary, biomedical, diagnostic and industrial sectors.

Recently, Amano has seen a boom in consumer demand for non-dairy alternatives as it seeks the latest advancements in enzyme technology.

Its enzymes are used to boost the flavour, texture, colour, digestion and nutritional profiles of products in the booming plant-based ‘alternatives’ market.

Amano’s new premises at Milton Park, which oversees all operations across its EMEA sites, is now undergoing a state-of-the-art fit-out.

Once complete, the bespoke laboratory, comprising cutting-edge R&D equipment, will enable the company to further expand into strategic focus areas, such as plant-based food and drinks.

Kazumi Washisaka, Managing Director at Amano Enzyme, said: “Milton Park offers the space to create bespoke laboratories in close proximity to Reading University’s Food and Nutritional Sciences hub, making it the ideal location for Amano Enzyme’s new EMEA base.

“Additionally, we were keen to find an innovative work environment with excellent public transport links.

“We’re thoroughly looking forward to growing our pipeline of work with the support of these new premises, while at the same time networking with the many other pioneering biotechnology companies based at Milton Park.”

Philip Campbell, Commercial Director at MEPC Milton Park, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Amano Enzyme to our vibrant and innovative community at Milton Park.

“The company’s exciting work in the development and manufacture of speciality enzymes makes it a brilliant fit for the Park and we’re proud to have been able to provide Amano with the space for its cutting-edge laboratory and office space requirements.

“We look forward to seeing the company go from strength to strength as they set up operations in Oxfordshire and provide much-needed high-quality jobs across the region.”