Unilever has officially opened its advanced manufacturing centre in Port Sunlight, Merseyside, UK.

The new facility features a pilot plant that will enable the company’s scientists and engineers to test new ideas on a factory scale.

Additionally, the advanced manufacturing centre is expected to further enhance Unilever’s research and development presence across the UK and worldwide.

Unilever Port Sunlight site director Cameron Jones said: “I am delighted to announce the official opening of our advanced manufacturing centre.

“The completion of our newest facility here in our historical home in Port Sunlight coincides with our 130-year anniversary.”

“The completion of our newest facility here in our historical home in Port Sunlight coincides with our 130-year anniversary, wher this week marks the construction of William Lever’s Sunlight Soap factory.

“The new centre highlights our continued commitment to creating new innovative products, further improving the quality of manufacturing and in addition, accelerating our ability to roll-out, even more, winning products across the world.”

The UK Government has also supported Unilever’s project by providing financial assistance through its Regional Growth Fund.

Additionally, the new centre will feature replicas of equipment found in Unilever sites worldwide.

The set-up will allow the scientists and engineers at the facility to develop consumer-focused innovations as well as scale them for Unilever’s global supply chain team, which is also based in Port Sunlight.