By Mike Finney

WILMINGTON — Advanced Materials Technology has chosen north Wilmington to expand its research and development work, manufacturing operations and local footprint to further its worldwide impact on multiple industries.

AMT is a product-development and manufacturing company whose separations solutions have been adopted globally. Since its founding in Delaware in 2005, AMT has been dedicated to researching and designing high-quality enabling materials for scientists around the world working in separation science — or the detailed study and controlled separation of mixtures.

The company is known for creating the first small-particle, core-shell packing material for high-performance liquid chromatography using its HALO Fused-Core technology.

Expansion will allow AMT to strengthen its capabilities and retain its innovative edge, which encompasses chromatographers in research and development and quality-control laboratories and serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food science, environmental, government and academic markets.

The company currently employs 39 full-time employees and intends to nearly double its staff by adding 35 positions over the next three years, it said.

“We are pleased that AMT will be expanding their operations here in Delaware,” said Gov. John Carney. “As we continue to rebuild our economy, we should do everything we can to support innovation and good-paying jobs.”

AMT currently leases more than 17,000 square feet of R&D, manufacturing and office space at Concord Plaza in north Wilmington and plans to lease an additional 12,380 square feet beginning this fall.

AMT is making a capital investment of $4.5 million — including $3 million for renovation of its laboratory space — toward its growth and expanded operations.

Supporting the company’s plans are $487,855 and $619,000 grants the company has received from the Delaware Strategic Fund.

“AMT is a proven company in New Castle County that will be almost doubling its workforce with this grant funding,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “I look forward to watching AMT’s innovative and cutting-edge work in the biopharma industries help us win the future and believe the next big idea will come from the first county of the First State.”

Demand for “ready-to-go” space for growing companies whose work is based in wet labs — largely biology and chemistry companies — is extremely high throughout the United States.

In 2020, Delaware approved its statewide lab grant program to address this issue and ensure that existing small companies can grow within the state and that the state can attract new businesses by increasing its inventory of ready-to-go lab space. The 2021-22 state budget includes $10 million for the program.

“These grants really tipped the scales on our decision to remain in Delaware,” said AMT co-founder and President Tim Langlois. “With this funding, we will be able to focus on development of our products, provide additional employment opportunities and continue the community involvement we’ve established through internships with University of Delaware students and activities like Bike to the Bay.”