St Andrews tech venture steps in to save lab jobs

A dozen “high value” jobs have been saved with the creation of a new technology company at the University of St Andrews.

Drochaid Research Services has taken on the employees of Sasol UK following the closure of its St Andrews laboratory, it was announced yesterday.

The university stepped in with a financial package of £700,000 and the promise of access to key research equipment to support the new company, which will carry out contract R&D in the areas of catalysis, materials science and chemical technology. Drochaid managing director Robert Tooze said: “We are already getting significant industrial interest and further building our links with academia.”