GSA News
20th Jan 2012
"Grimley Smith Associates to design a Bio-Polymer Demonstration Facility on Teesside"
Grimley Smith Associates (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers in North Lincolnshire has won a contract with Plaxica to design a bio-polymer demonstration facility that Plaxica is planning to build at Wilton International on Teesside. GSA is part of Fabricom GDF SUEZ (UK)
Plaxica is a technology and licensing company focused on the production of next generation biopolymers and platform chemicals from renewable resources such as sugarcane, cereals and cellulose.
The proposed demonstration plant will use energy efficient processes to produce second generation high performance polylactic acid (PLA) based materials. Nearly all existing polymers - including the high volume materials PET, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene and PVC - are derived from petrochemical feedstocks. Plaxica's PLA polymers are expected to match or exceed the properties and application of these petrochemical based polymers while offering a lower environmental footprint compared to conventional oil-based plastics and fibres.
The plastics market is worth over $400 billion a year, with biopolymers accounting for over $2 billion of that market. The demand for renewable processes and recyclable products is increasing, growing on average over 10% per annum.
The facility designed by GSA will enable Plaxica to gain important data on the performance of the technology before scaling up the process for full scale operation.
Mike Smith, Operations Director at GSA said "GSA are delighted to have been awarded such a unique and prestigious project. The growth of second generation biotechnology processes in the UK has been significant in recent years and we are delighted to be associated with such an innovative project."
Mark Sutton, Chief Operating Officer for Plaxica went onto say "We are excited to be working with GSA in their capacity as the front end engineering partner for our biopolymer project. The award of this contract marks an important step for Plaxica as we move our technology through demonstration to commercial implementation and licensing."
6th Jan 2012
"Grimley Smith Associates exceeds Investors in People standard"
Grimley Smith Associates, multi-disciplined engineers in North Lincolnshire, have recently been praised for achieving and exceeding the Investors in People professional standard. Investors in People (IiP) is a nationally recognised framework that helps organisations to improve their performance and realise their objectives through the effective management and development of their people.
Mike Smith, Operations Director at GSA said "GSA are delighted to be awarded the Investors in People standard for the second time since 2005. Our employees are our greatest asset and exceeding the IIP standard demonstrates GSA's strong commitment to continuing the professional development of our workforce."
The Investors in People awarding body visited GSA's offices for an office assessment, interviewing a quarter of the workforce over a three day period. Feedback received included "They recognise the skills in Individuals", "It's a lovely company to work for" and "Colleagues can see the benefits of being part of a larger group with increased opportunities for career progression".
Last year GSA was acquired by Fabricom GDF SUEZ to extend the services offered by both companies. Mike Smith went onto say "It's only been a year since GSA was acquired by Fabricom and since then we've maintained the strengths of both companies for the greater good of the workforce. The feedback received from GSA's Investors in People re-accreditation has provided confirmation that the acquisition has proved successful for both companies' and their employees."
13th June 2011
"Grimley Smith Associates to design & build a new research centre on Teesside"
Grimley Smith Associates (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers in North Lincolnshire has won a contract with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and Tata Steel to design and construct a new national research facility at Tata Steel's Teesside Technology Centre (TTC) in Middlesbrough.
The facility will advance high-temperature technologies and cost a total of £5 million to establish. The technologists will pioneer new ways of turning waste products into fuels and raw materials which are crucial for industries such as energy generation, construction, steel and waste management. Alongside GSA, Fabricom has secured the construction phase of the contract which includes; construction and structural erection, ME & I installation, site establishment and project management.
This project has received £2.5 million investment from One North East through the Tees Valley Industrial Programme, which is helping to accelerate industrial transition in the area and help the region to seize new and emerging opportunities in low carbon and advanced manufacturing. Director of Business and Industry at One North East, Ian Williams said: "This new facility will be the largest of its kind in the UK and will further strengthen the global position of the North East Process Sector."
Nigel Carlton, Managing Director of GSA and Fabricom in the UK said: "Following the recent acquisition of Grimley Smith Associates, I am pleased to see that the joint capabilities of Fabricom and GSA working together is already providing demonstrable value for our clients. It is encouraging to see how this partnership is already successful to relevant projects where we can use the professional skills of both organisations to fulfil all stages of a project."
The bespoke gasifier is a 2-metre wide furnace that can handle a wide range of feedstocks such as unusable oils and organic wastes and convert them into the valuable and low-carbon fuels of the future. The pyrolysis unit will convert waste materials and biomass in to liquid and gaseous fuels.
CPI Director of Strategy, Dr Graham Hiller, said: "The creation of the new research centre will provide the UK with an asset that is suitable for use by a range of companies using and developing high temperature technologies. Giving organisations access to the infrastructure and skills of CPI and Tata Steel TTC, we will be enabling the UK to increase its capability to transform research ideas into valuable commercial processes."
Mark Sexton, Tata Steel RD&T Director Processes added: "Our aim is to work with other industries and companies in the field of high temperature process technology, increasing the pace of knowledge and capability development, bringing additional benefits to our own activities."
16th May 2011
"Grimley Smith Associates celebrate Leeds half-marathon"
After months of training, four employees from Grimley Smith Associates (GSA), took part in the GDF Suez Leeds Half Marathon raising money for a number of charities including Yorkshire Cancer Research, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Tommy's (the baby charity) and Motor Neurone Disease Association.
GSA entered the marathon in a joint team with twelve members of Fabricom UK, and four ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) apprentices.
Andrew Grimley, Executive Chairman at GSA said; "GSA were delighted to support the GDF Suez Leeds Half Marathon this year. I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the event, the organisers for making it such a successful and enjoyable day, and all those who donated."
Fabricom's Senior HR Manager Yvonne Day, said; "This is the second year that Fabricom has entered relay teams and individuals into the Leeds Half Marathon. We were joined by some of our colleagues from Grimley Smith Associates. It was fantastic opportunity for us all to do something together outside of the work environment."
The team members travelling from the Immingham and Brigg area got to the event with the support of an ECITB sponsored minibus. Val Swales, Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Account Manager at the ECITB said; "We were delighted to help get the teams to Leeds to take part in the half-marathon. It was a really great team event and a fantastic opportunity to raise a lot of money for some very worthwhile causes."
Pictured: GSA and Fabricom runners after the race, 8th May 2011.
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