THE development of a range of instruments for the petrochemical industry is moving from San Francisco to Livingston.

Scientific instrument group Techcomp is recruiting 20 scientists and engineers in its Livingston facility after transferring research and development (R&D) activity from the California base of its Scion Instruments’ company.

The move follows Techcomp’s 2013 acquisition of Edinburgh Instruments and sees the company establish the Techcomp Research and Engineering Centre (TREC) at its West Lothian home.

Scion was acquired by Techcomp Europe at the end of 2014 and already has a small team based in Livingston.

Techcomp Europe is part of the Hong-Kong listed Techcomp group.

Its chief executive Chris O’Connor said: “Since investing in Edinburgh Instruments, we have been impressed with the skills and capabilities of the scientists and engineers in Scotland. This has motivated us to transfer jobs from other locations and to choose Livingston as the centre for our latest investment in group R&D.”

The activity will support operations in the US, China, France and Switzerland.

In total the business will have 35 R&D staff working on its spectroscopy and chromatography product developments for the petrochemical industry.

“By combining these activities in one location, this has allowed us to invest in a high tech R&D laboratory with the latest 3D printing, machining, and testing facilities for mechanical, electronic and software prototyping,” added Mr O’Connor.

Edinburgh Instruments was established in 1972 and now employs 80 staff, exporting 90 per cent of its systems to universities and research centres across the globe.