Finance Yorkshire investment supports expansion of innovative cleaning products company
A company specialising in safe and effective cleaning products is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire.
Sky Chemicals develops and manufactures cleaning products using peracetic acid rather than the more traditional ingredient of chlorine.
Peracetic acid is notable for its antimicrobial properties and rapid environmental decomposition into the non-toxic residues of acetic acid, water and oxygen.
The company has moved from its Kelham Island base in Sheffield to Kettlebridge Road, near the city’s Parkway, providing Sky Chemicals with more factory and storage space as well as a dedicated laboratory for new product development.
The relocation is being supported by a £200,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s loan fund.
Sky Chemicals founder Mike Joseph and his team have worked closely with experts at Sheffield Hallam University to develop peracetic acid in powder form which is more stable than as a liquid.
The company has also collaborated with University College Hospital London (UCHL) to clinically test its disinfectant products which are used by several NHS hospital trusts for infection control.
Sky Chemicals is still collaborating with Sheffield Hallam on generating peracetic acid and with UCHL on clinical testing. The company’s partnership with Sheffield Hallam has resulted in graduate James Derham who studied to PhD level recently joining the business as Research & Development Lead Chemist.
Mike explained: “Traditional chlorine-based cleaning products have limited effectiveness. Using peracetic acid is safe and more efficacious while being environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“Finance Yorkshire’s investment is helping us to improve our business potential and attract new customers.”
As well as the NHS, Sky Chemicals supplies the Japanese health care market with its Pericide™ products and is seeking to export to other countries. It is also targeting the food industry as a key growth area and plans to add to its eight-strong headcount.
Finance Yorkshire’s investment in Sky Chemicals follows two other recent investments in South Yorkshire based SMEs. Investments from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund in artisan dessert retailer Batch’d and cereal manufacturer Spoon along with Sky Chemicals total more than £2 million.
Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “These are three strong investments by Finance Yorkshire and demonstrate our support for the SME base in South Yorkshire and its local economy.
“Sky Chemicals’ success showcases the strength of innovation in new product development being carried out between the region’s pioneering companies and world-leading universities.
“We are pleased to support Sky Chemicals relocation in South Yorkshire which will enable the business to expand, particularly into new sectors both in the UK and globally.”