A GROUP promoting the interests of Yorkshire’s chemical companies has tapped into a new contract – to provide support for the region’s water industry.

Yorkshire Chemical Focus, based in Huddersfield, will also be responsible for the Water Industry Forum until March 2011, under the terms of the contract agreed with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The water forum, which has been running for nearly two years, will continue to support the water and waste water treatment sector in Yorkshire with information and advice as well as helping members to identify business opportunities.

The forum, which is led by a body representing

suppliers, manufacturers, technical experts and regional universities, has more than 115 member organisations.

Jim Farmery, assistant director of innovation at Yorkshire Forward, said: “We encourage firms within the sector to join and benefit from the advice, support and networking opportunities it offers.

“In these times of economic difficulty, it is more important than ever that initiatives such as these are there to support and bring industries together.”

Yorkshire Chemical Focus (YCF), the not-for-profit membership organisation that supports Yorkshire’s £2.2bn chemical sector, has supported businesses with joint purchasing agreements, networking, help in getting grants and by staging a major industry conference in 2008.

Dr Jane Mockford, chief executive of Yorkshire Chemical Focus, said: “We’re delighted to be taking on responsibility for the Water Industry Forum.”

Dr Mockford, based in offices at the Syngenta works at Leeds Road, added: “We will be liaising closely with the industry and bringing in some industry specialists to develop the forum.

“I believe that the experience we have built up with Yorkshire Chemical Focus will be invaluable in delivering what the water industry needs to sustain and grow its services which are so vital to both business and the community.

“A significant number of YCF members in the chemical sector are also active in the water industry, so there’s an obvious synergy between the two which we’ll be looking to develop.”

The water forum also works with organisations concerned with recycling, sustainability and energy efficiency. The forum can be contacted on 01484 433215 or email info@waterindustryforum.com