Syensqo’s Oldbury site in the UK wins prestigious Building of the Year award

Syensqo’s Oldbury site won the Building of the Year award at the UK National Sustainability Awards earlier this month. The award celebrates the site’s groundbreaking efforts in transforming large industrial areas into vibrant, sustainable green spaces. It represents a significant step forward in Syensqo’s ambitious efforts to fulfill its environmental commitments and serves as recognition of the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability and driving positive change.

The Oldbury site, which was also shortlisted in the Biodiversity Protection category, stood out for its innovative approach to creating natural habitats and integrating biodiversity into its operations. This was the site’s first attempt at winning an external award for its biodiversity work. It earned praise from the judges for its community-driven initiatives and the extensive involvement of employee volunteers, all of which contributed to a project that benefits both the environment and the local community.

The award underscores Syensqo’s broader vision to lead in sustainability with its ‘One Planet’ programme, which inspired Oldbury site's ongoing efforts to meet the COP15 "30 by 30" target - transforming 30% of its land into green spaces by 2030. The judges highlighted Oldbury’s success as a model for transforming legacy industrial sites into sustainable environments that can inspire others across the sector.

By turning its sustainability goals into tangible outcomes, the Oldbury site is making a lasting contribution to Syensqo’s mission to create a better, greener future.

Ian Fryer, Syensqo Oldbury Site Manager said: “This recognition is a proud moment for the entire team and shows that a site with 170 years of industrial history can not only meet but surpass sustainability goals. The revitalised site is already attracting wildlife like wagtails, goldfinches, bees and butterflies, marking a significant step in our ongoing journey toward a greener future. And we’re just getting started. Our plans to create a nature corridor and earn accreditation from the Wildlife Habitat Council will move us closer to Syensqo’s vision of advancing humanity through sustainable innovation right here in Oldbury.”