Behind the Innovation

Avantor recently launched the Hichrom Ace Analytical Chromatography Centre of Excellence to strengthen scientific capabilities, customer support, and training, helping analytical scientists  move faster, validate performance sooner, and scale workflows with confidence.

Centralizing European Chromatography Expertise Under One Roof

Located near Avantor’s chromatography column manufacturing site in Reading, UK, the 4,000‑sq. ft. Centre of Excellence brings together R&D, technical support, product management, and applications teams in a single facility. The site includes dedicated research and customer demonstration labs, consolidating expertise that was previously distributed across multiple European locations.

“The Analytical Chromatography Centre of Excellence creates a hub where customers can work directly with our scientists, see chromatography solutions in action, and collaborate with experts to troubleshoot challenges or optimize methods,” said Stephanie Pollard, Vice President and General Manager for Avantor’s Lab Chemicals business.

Instead of sending products out for testing, Avantor can now evaluate customer samples in-house, demonstrating real‑world performance and enabling faster, more confident decision‑making, particularly in regulated or competitive environments.

Supporting the Entire Biopharma Spectrum, from Lab to Process Chromatography

The Hichrom Ace Centre focuses on analytical chromatography innovation and method development, while large‑scale process chromatography is supported through Avantor’s Bridgewater, New Jersey, Innovation Center. Together, these capabilities create stronger continuity across the chromatography lifecycle, from discovery and development through manufacturing and quality control.

Enhancing Training, Collaboration, and Customer Engagement

Beyond application development and demonstrations, the Centre expands customer training and collaboration through hands‑on chromatography workshops, seminars, and virtual demonstrations, allowing customers and partners worldwide to engage on-site or remotely.

Unlocking Greater Manufacturing Capacity and Supply Reliability

Behind the scenes, the new facility also supports greater manufacturing efficiency for key Avantor chromatography brands, including ACE®, Vydac® and Alltima®. By relocating technical and R&D teams out of the existing manufacturing site, Avantor has freed up capacity to expand chromatography production, improve quality control workflows, and strengthen supply reliability.

“Together, these investments expand access to expertise, accelerate proof‑of‑performance testing, enhance training, and improve supply reliability—reinforcing Avantor’s commitment to supporting chromatography workflows for biopharma customers worldwide”, Pollard added.

Click here to learn more about Avantor’s lab chromatography business.

Click here to learn more about Avantor’s reliable supply chain.