Wigan-based Bitrez Ltd’s joint managing directors Paul Jones and Brian Allen attended a reception at Buckingham Palace earlier this month to receive a Queen’s Award (in the innovation category) for the company’s development of Curaphen, a BPA-free resin.

Curaphen grades developed in 2013 are cross-linking agents applied internally to food and drink packaging after a world-wide health scare regarding the potential harmful effects of BPA on humans — especially expectant mothers and babies.

Not only do these Curaphen grades satisfy new regulations, but they also meet the desirable processing and performance requirements of conventional BPA derivatives.

Bitrez’s (www.bitrez.com) exports have increased by 45% in the past five years, with a third of that figure as a direct result of developing Curaphen.

The company has also doubled its capacity and now runs a 24/7 operation to ensure that it can meet the increased
demand from the USA and China.

Mr Jones said: “It was an honour to attend the event and meet members of the Royal household. It is particularly rewarding for the company to have been recognised in the innovation category.”

Bitrez, which was established in 1982, manufactures a wide range of high-performance synthetic resins and matrix systems that are used around the globe.

Its market sectors include specialist protective coatings, aerospace, defence, automotive and construction.