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Energy industry charged by new funding

The region’s renewable energy sector was yesterday bolstered by a £12m injection of funding from the Government into a new facility.

Teesside’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) will receive Government backing after Business Minister, Ian Lucas pledged his support for plans to expand the industrial biotechnology demonstrator facilities at Wilton.

The site, which will be fully operational by the end of the year, will have a 10,000-metre cementer, which will be used to develop fresher and greener approaches for renewable sources of energy.

Sophie Walton, business manager, CPI, said, “ We’re really excited about this, obviously this area needs new industry and new processes coming in and we’re really pleased to be a part of it. Hopefully it will help stimulate both new innovations and inventions and also help stimulate generations of new growth in the area.“

“What we are trying to do is get chemicals that might be of value from waste materials. So instead of relying on petro chemicals which are new chemicals, we are trying to change that round and get our chemicals from renewable sources which will help to give Teesside a new industry.”

The plant will also give outside advice to companies and the opportunity to test potential ideas within the site to reduce capital risk.

Mr. Lucas, said: “ The Government fully recognises the crucial role that the UK’s manufacturing base will play in growing our economy.

“Here in the North East the regional strengths in industrial biotechnology, plastic electronics and advanced manufacturing will help the UK achieve its goal of economic growth and a low carbon economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .