The Crop Innovation Centre (CIC) is a world‑class research facility that supports the future of sustainable agriculture. Delivered by McLaughlin & Harvey through the SCAPE Scotland Construction framework, the new Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and International Barley Hub (IBH) building brings together cutting-edge, globally significant science, collaboration and innovation under one roof.
The Crop Innovation Centre
Advancing sustainable crop science
Projects
Overview
Funded as part of a £62 million investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal by the UK and Scottish Governments, the Crop Innovation Centre now supports world-leading research into crop resilience and food security.
Delivered across four phases, the project transformed the James Hutton Institute’s Invergowrie campus:
- Phase 1: a new access road, unlocking the site and supporting the new campus layout.
- Phase 2: construction of the International Barley Hub Field Centre, replacing outdated buildings no longer fit for purpose.
- Phase 3: demolition and enabling works to clear older buildings and prepare for new facilities.
- Phase 4: construction of a new £43 million sustainable building housing two innovation centres: the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and International Barley Hub (IBH). At the heart of the campus, the APGC and IBH consolidate key research functions, future-proofing operations across the UK and enabling greater interdisciplinary collaboration.
Early contractor involvement through the framework was vital to the project’s success. McLaughlin & Harvey worked collaboratively with AtkinsRéalis via the SCAPE Scotland Consultancy framework, helping deliver the facility efficiently while meeting complex technical and sustainability requirements and maintaining cost certainty.
The CIC now accommodates more than 100 researchers and staff across 44 laboratories and office space. Over the next 10 years, it is expected to support more than 900 collaborative industry projects and 2,600 additional UK jobs, including 1,760 in Scotland.
Beyond the building itself, the project team delivered an exceptional £38.6 million in social value, equating to 93% of the project value. Setting a benchmark for responsible, community-focused delivery, the project is featured in SCAPE's Social Value in Construction Benchmarking Report 2025.
Project impact
£38.6M
Social value generation
93%
Social value add
83%
Local spend (within 20 miles)
12,783
Tonnes materials reused, recycled or recovered
97
Placements, apprenticeships and trainee roles created
“We worked closely with partners at McLaughlin & Harvey and Oberlanders Architects to ensure the successful delivery of this new facility. The strength, resilience and sustainable design of the building are key to supporting the groundbreaking research housed within, and we are proud to have worked with a dedicated team to bring this project to life.”
Alasdair Cox, Director of Operations at the James Hutton Institute
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