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Appliance of science for chemical sector

A new science collaboration for the chemical industry is to bridge the development gap between research and the prototyping of products and services.

Our ‘Science to business hub’ is to help over 100 small local businesses to gain a competitive edge in product development by opening up innovative relationships with academic institutions and research establishments. Focus on the speciality chemicals sector With a focus on the speciality chemicals sector, a £1.27m investment from the University is being match funded with £1.17m from the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13 administered by One North East. The project will link with two similar projects run by CPI and NEPIC, increasing opportunities for SMEs to tap into the latest sector research, share best practice and network more effectively.

Professor Cliff Hardcastle, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise said: 'A key aim is to help our chemicals sector businesses identify their technology requirements and skills gaps, and then source partners from the universities, regional centres of excellence and research establishments to provide solutions.'

Speciality chemicals sector company Linchem has already seen the benefits of close collaboration with the University. Having recently filed a patent application with the UK Patent Office drawing on its joint work, Linchem plans to establish commercial viability in conjunction with a major international company in the oilfield sector.

'The Science to business hub will generate innovative ideas and bring a culture change to facilitate open working between companies, enabling them to exploit new opportunities and build alliances,' added One North East Chief Executive Alan Clarke.

'Regional investment in R&D must pick up and this project is a great chance to increase the number of SMEs engaged in active innovation and collaborative research to move their business forward.'

Over £250m to support innovation, enterprise and business support The ERDF programme 2007-13 is bringing over £250m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It aims to create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the region’s productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

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