Whispers of innovation and global collaboration resonate here at Sunbury Business Park. Once known as the Sunbury Research Centre, this location has been a part of BP’s history for nearly a century. Today, Sunbury Business Park stands as a modern, international business hub.
Let’s step back to 1917. Sunbury Research Station began with two chemists investigating fuel oil viscosity for the Navy during World War I. Dr Albert Ernest Dunstan and Dr Ferdinand Bernard Thole worked in the basement of ‘Meadhurst’. This country house belonged to Sir George William Kekewich. These chemists pioneered research here.
In the 1920s, research expanded to cracking at Uphall in Scotland. By 1931, the first new building opened. Staff numbers grew from 76 in 1929 to 197 in 1939. The main refinery was in Abadan, Iran.
A pivotal moment occurred in July 1936. Dr Thomas Tait accidentally invented the alkylation process. He added sulphuric acid to a pentane solvent. This discovery, patented by Sunbury in 1938, revolutionized fuel refining. It is still an important part of aviation and automobile fuel refining.
During the Second World War, Sunbury’s work became crucial. They developed processes to increase aviation fuel production at Abadan. This boosted output from 70,000 tons in 1941 to over a million tons by 1945. Sunbury also developed the Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation system for RAF airfields.
After the war, Sunbury continued to innovate. The BP Corrosion Control System was developed here. It limited corrosion by sulphur. By 1960, the site expanded to 19 acres with 1300 staff.
Several notable figures have visited Sunbury over the years. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, opened an engine-testing facility in 1948. The Duke of Edinburgh opened the chemicals laboratory in 1962.
Today, Sunbury Business Park is home to 3,500 people from over 55 international business teams. It is BP’s most diverse location. Over 50 nationalities and many religions are represented here. You might hear around 30 languages on any given day.
Air BP, for aviation fuel, is headquartered at Sunbury Business Park. The site hosts upstream, corporate, functions, and downstream businesses. BP’s eastern hemisphere upstream learning centre is also here.
The ICBT volunteering program encourages employees to support the local community. They offer work experience, mentoring, and STEM activities to students. ICBT employees also support local charities.
Sunbury Business Park stands as a testament to innovation, collaboration, and global impact. From its humble beginnings as a research station to its current status as a thriving business park. It continues to shape the future of energy and community engagement. Take a moment to appreciate the rich history and diverse culture that defines Sunbury Business Park.