Intertek opens New Technology Centre in Spain at the Port of Bilbao

BILBAO, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intertek, a global leader in providing inspection, certification and analysis services for a wide range of sectors and industries, has opened the new Bilbao Technology Centre (BTC) laboratory in Spain. The new facility has more than 2,000 square meters of laboratory space. The inauguration of the laboratory takes place today. Attendees will include members of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Basque Government, along with senior managers from leading oil and energy companies.

“The opening of the new and expanded BTC laboratory in Bilbao is part of our strategic commitment to the petroleum, chemical and biofuels industries in Spain and Europe.”

The new laboratory significantly expands Intertek Spain’s analytical testing capabilities in traditional fuels and biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biomass and biogas. In addition, the BTC lab offers enhanced environmental testing of water and organic contaminated soils. The new laboratory also supports research and development projects for renewable energy and environmental projects. Additional expertise in textiles and biodegradability testing are also planned for 2011.

The new location of the Bilbao Technology Centre, located at the Port of Bilbao, complements the existing Intertek laboratory located in Campillo Industrial Park in Gallarta (Bizkaia), which has been operating since 1991. Intertek works with petroleum, chemical and biofuel manufacturers, providing quality control and certification of their products throughout the refining, manufacturing and distribution supply chain.

The laboratory in Gallarta has 21 specialists dedicated to R&D projects, who will continue working on projects with conventional fuels. The opening of the new BTC laboratory will increase total laboratory staffing, allowing Intertek to expand in research activities such as next-generation biofuels from algae, biomass, etc.

Jay Gutierrez, Executive Vice President of Intertek's Oil, Chemical & Agri division, said “The opening of the new and expanded BTC laboratory in Bilbao is part of our strategic commitment to the petroleum, chemical and biofuels industries in Spain and Europe.”

"The new Intertek Bilbao laboratory supports all companies working in the energy sector, both at the national and European level, collaborating in research, development and inspection projects as well as assisting in the implementation of directives on renewable energy," says Ben Fontan, Director General of Intertek Spain.

Learn more at: http://www.intertek.com/petroleum/spain/

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace.

Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 26,000 people in 110 countries around the world.

For further information, visit www.intertek.com