CHELMSFORD, U.K. — Battelle has begun construction of an advanced research-and-development facility that will expand its global footprint and capacity to provide advanced science and technology solutions for the agriculture, food and health care industries.

The new, 20,327-square-foot (1,888-square-meter) facility at Chelmsford Business Park is an expansion of its existing operations in the United Kingdom and will open in April 2013. The new facility will augment Battelle’s established global scientific expertise in formulation development, toxicology and biotechnology programs that help agriculture and food customers accelerate product development and meet multi-national regulatory requirements. It also opens additional opportunities to serve the research and development needs for pharmaceutical, medical device and other health and life science companies across Europe and around the world.

“This investment to create a world-class research facility in the UK reflects Battelle’s commitment to advance critical science and technology efforts for the global agribusiness and life science communities,” said Barbara Kunz, President of Battelle’s Health and Life Sciences Global Business. “The new facility not only creates greater capacity to extend our capabilities to a larger customer base, but it also allows us to tap into the best scientific talent in the United Kingdom and across Europe.”

As the world’s largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom.

Battelle also is one of the leading charitable trusts in the United States, focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.