The first phase of a £40 million project near Penrhyncoch has been officially opened.

Brexit Minister at the Senedd, Jeremy Miles AM, was on hand to officially open the first part of the Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus on Friday.

The development, which is based at Aberystwyth University’s Gogerddan Campus, will provide world-leading facilities and expertise for the biotechnology, agri-tech, and food and drink sectors.

Prof Elizabeth Treasure, vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, highlighted the importance of the developments for “the future of the rural economy”.

Construction of the campus is being undertaken by Wilmott Dixon. Scheduled to be completed and fully operational by the summer of 2020, it will also house an Advanced Analysis Centre, a Future Food Centre and an Innovation Hub.

The opening of two new state-of-the-art research facilities at the development was also celebrated at the event.

The project has been paid for with £20m from the European Regional Development Fund, £12m from the BBSRC – part of UK Research and Innovation – and £8.5m from Aberystwyth University.

The AberInnovation Biorefining Centre provides research and production facilities to turn vegetation waste and other natural materials into a range of industrial products including plastics, food additives, pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals.

Paul Gemmil, BBSRC chief operating officer, said: “The AberInnovation Biorefining Centre is a great example of how we can push the frontiers of bioscience and address key societal issues such as transforming vegetation waste and other natural materials into a range of industrial products to build the bioeconomy.”

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