Warrington Guardian

A Safe and sound system for detecting unwanted moisture – developed in Warrington in record time – has been given a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Scientists at INEOS Silicas, formerly Crosfields, had to move quickly after the European Union declared, in 1999, that cobalt dichloride was potentially carcinogenic.
For years it had been used to show when silica gel, used to provide the low humidity needed to produce and store electronic and consumer goods, had exhausted its dessicant capacity.
Within months the team at the Bank Quay plant’s Silica Gel, department had developed an indicating system, Sorbsil Chameleon, as a trouble free alternative.
Unlike its predecessor, it is safe to handle and doesn’t present any difficulties when it comes to eventually disposing of it.
As well as the traditional applications the breakthrough opened up new opportunities for the Warrington division in the food and pharmaceutical packaging markets.

“The award reinforces the strength of INEOS Silicas in its ability to identify and rapidly develop existing, new and novel inorganic systems to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Foster, company CEO.
Innovation
“The project to develop a new indicating silica gel was recognised in October 1998 and the first commercial sales of the product were in December 1999.”
Chosen in the innovation section of the awards, the company joins a Manchester-based Avecia Biotechnology, which has developed a range of DNA medicines, and Fairbanks Environmental Ltd, of Skelmersdale, responsible for developing systems which detect fuel leaks at petrol stations.

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