The Smithers Group, which has an environmental testing lab on Main Street, has announced that it will purchase the Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) from the UK-based Covance Laboratories.

Based in Harrogate, UK, Environmental Sciences Group has been providing scientific and regulatory expertise in product registration and risk assessment for more than 35 years. Environmental Sciences Group serves clients in the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, industrial chemical and animal health industries.

The Environmental Sciences Group, which has about 60 employees, will become part of the Smithers Viscient organization, located at 790 Main Street in Wareham.

“The Environmental Sciences business represents a tremendous strategic fit for Smithers," said Michael Hochschwender, President and CEO of The Smithers Group. “We have long respected the expertise and capabilities of this group and we are excited about what this acquisition means for our clients in terms of a broader range of services.”

The Environmental Sciences Group provides environmental services such as Ecotoxicology, Environmental Fate, Plant Metabolism, Animal Metabolism, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Residue Chemistry, Regulatory Affairs, Risk Assessment and Project Management.

“The ESG acquisition is greatly enhancing our ability to service clients globally, but specifically in Europe and Asia,” said Volker Bornemann, President of Smithers Viscient. "Building upon our already diverse service offering, expanding our scope and capabilities, is very exciting.”

The purchase agreement, signed May 2, is expected to close in 30 days.

For more information about Smithers, visit www.smithers.com or www.smithersviscient.com. For the Environmental Sciences Group, visit http://www.covance.com/products/environmental/index.php.