Acerchem International, a leading Chinese health and nutraceutical group, is to establish its European HQ and R&D and manufacturing centre at the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) at Swansea University (Welsh Government, 2017).

The news was announced by Welsh Economy Secretary Ken Skates who is in China on a trade mission and has met with Acerchem International’s Chairman Frank Chen, Strategic Director Nancy Wu and Global Vice President Ken Li at a business reception in Shanghai.

Ken Skates said “It’s great news that Acerchem International has chosen to set up its European Headquarters in Wales and is to open a manufacturing and Research and Development centre here, creating a significant number of skilled jobs. The company has a long standing Research collaboration with Swansea University which clearly illustrates the importance of building international academic links with business and industry. This investment, which is supported by the Welsh Government, can only serve to strengthen the ties between our two countries. China is an extremely important market for Wales and our trade mission this week builds on the strong economic and cultural links that have been developed over a number of years.”

The investment by Acerchem International is backed by £600,000 from the Welsh Government and will create thirty eight highly skilled, well paid jobs, primarily working in R&D.

Acerchem International Chairman Frank Chen said “We very much look forward to building up the business in Wales and developing even closer links with Swansea University. Support from the Welsh Government helped fast track this project and was vital in bringing it to Wales and we value the support we have had from Welsh Government officials in Shanghai and in Cardiff. Opening this new HQ and R&D centre in Wales marks an exciting new development for the group and a great opportunity to develop and grow the business.”

CEO Jeff Jiang founded Acerchem International in Shanghai in 2007 which has grown into a multi million pound business and a leading group in the health and nutraceutical sectors. The company exports to over forty countries with sales offices in Wales, at the ILS, and in Japan, the Netherlands and Spain. Its product range includes nutritional supplements, functional foods and beverages, beauty care and animal nutrition supplements.

The company provides a diversified portfolio of fermented ingredients and has developed a sophisticated extraction and purification business unit using natural ingredients, giving products better absorption and stability. With an R&D centre in Shanghai, and working alongside Swansea University, it has developed its own formulations which include premix, blends, tablets, soft-gels, and others. It plans to invest significantly in R&D working with Welsh universities and increase its business with existing customers in Wales, which could also lead to additional jobs being created.