North-east leads the way
Members of the Science and Industry Council, formed in 2001 to oversee the development of a knowledge economy for the north-east of England, saw first-hand how the region is leading the way in applied research innovation for the process industries when they toured the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Wilton, Redcar.
The visit was attended by some of the region's most prestigious names in science innovation, including chair Richard Maudsley, Prof. Sir Kenneth Calman and Prof. Christopher Edwards, vice chancellor of the University of Durham.
One of five 'centres of excellence' under One NorthEast's 'strategy for success', the centre focuses on three main areas: advanced processing (new processes), functional materials (new products) and fuel cells (new energy).
CPI's work in new technologies, made possible through links with industry partners and world-leading research universities, has been instrumental in opening new routes to chemical manufacture and innovative process methods.