A research centre that is among only three of its kind in the world is holding an open day to celebrate 10 years since it moved to the Chatham Maritime campus of the University of Greenwich.

The Wolfson Centre has become a leader in analysing the way powders can be transported and mixed in industry, known professionally as bulk solids handling.

It carries out research and training for firms such as Nestle, Unilever, Pfizer, E.ON and GlaxoSmithKline.

Its huge range of equipment allows it to mock up clients’ entire handling processes or logistics chains, at near or full scale, in its 4,843sq ft plant.

There are only two other centres of this kind in the world – both of which are in Australia.

Centre leader Prof Mike Bradley said: “Almost all manufactured goods have powders in them. A lot of people in industry struggle with making solids equipment work because they don’t have the expertise, which is where we come in.”

The centre was originally based in Woolwich and moved to Medway in 2005 as part of the engineering department.

Prof Bradley said: “In the 1970s and 1980s the manufacturing industry in London melted away so we lost that linkage in Woolwich.

“Medway is still a strong manufacturing centre so the university brought the site here.

“Moving engineering here has been a great success.”

The open day takes place tomorrow from 10am to 4pm. Booking is not required.