Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)’s backing of Holiferm, a spin-out of the University of Manchester, will fund new innovative technology and create a range of green jobs across the city-region.
Holiferm is a trailblazer in the development and production of environmentally friendly biosurfactants that are used in a variety of products, including shampoos, surface cleaners, hand cleansers and cosmetics.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has invested £2m to support the biotech research facility based in Trafford Park.
The firm’s gravity-based separation technology, which was first developed at the University of Manchester, uses fermentation to create the substance in a similar way to how beer is brewed. The yeast used in the process is derived from honey, it is combined with rapeseed oil and glucose, which makes it more environmentally friendly. Through the new technology, a range of everyday items can become more efficient and milder.
GMCA’s investment in Holiferm will enable the creation of 45 highly skilled roles as well as create 15 back office staff roles at their research lab in Trafford Park, taking the firm’s local workforce up to 60. These jobs will support research into improving and developing their manufacturing process, which takes place at Holiferm’s production site in Wallasey.
Councillor David Molyneux, GMCA lead for Resources and Investment, said:
“This investment will help generate a number of high-quality jobs for people in our city-region as well as boost our local economy. The research undertaken at Holiferm in Trafford will also support the North West in becoming carbon neutral and more energy efficient.
“We want Greater Manchester businesses to grow and thrive, to provide well-paid, secure jobs for our residents and to attract investment to our city-region. For that to happen, it is essential we invest in organisations to help them grow and support our ambitions.”
