A JAPANESE tech company has opened a new laboratory in Daresbury.

International process technology firm Hosokawa Micron Ltd has relocated its Hosokawa Technical Innovation Centre to Sci-Tech Daresbury's new Techspace One development, having been previously based at its nearby site in Preston Brook.

The new purpose-built facility will allow the powder and particle processing machinery maker to 'expand its testing and manufacturing capabilities in the UK'.

Technical centre manager Kathryn Hipkins said: "We chose to relocate Hosokawa's Technical Innovation Centre to Sci-Tech Daresbury as part of a strategic move to increase our contract manufacturing capabilities in the UK.

"Sci-Tech Daresbury is an internationally-recognised location with a strong emphasis on technology innovation and growth, and we felt this was a natural fit to base our operations out of the campus.

"We're now situated within a highly-collaborative business environment, and its location offers opportunities to work with academic and industrial partners on the campus and across the wider region."

Jayne Furnival, group property director of Sci-Tech Daresbury partners Langtree, added: "Our reputation as a key location where science and innovation businesses can meet their ambitions is increasingly attracting companies from around the world.

"Without doubt, Hosokawa Micron's decision to open a facility on the campus is a great coup for us and we are delighted to welcome them here.

"Such is our appeal that we are now home to companies from 13 countries besides the UK itself - big name players with a strong global presence accessing the north west's rich talent pool, surrounded by successful and ambitious cities, towns and universities and enjoying excellent support and collaboration opportunities on the campus and through our networks."