Partner Article

£5m high temperature research centre comes to Teesside

THE WORLD’s 7th largest steel company has said the new £5m High Temperature Innovation Centre destined for Teesside reflects its strong commitment to the region.

The UK’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has formed a partnership with the Indian firm to develop the new site on Teesside, where it continues to employ more than 2,500 people.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “This project is a good example of a traditional manufacturing industry working with innovative partners to develop new greener products and processes.

“The Department for Business and UK Trade & Investment have actively supported this project as part of our commitment to promote private sector led growth by investing in a low carbon economy.”

The multi million pound project will be based at the existing Tata Steel process research facility, on Teesside, and will consist of two pilot plants – a 350 kg pyrolysis oven and 2m diameter fully flexible gasifier.

CPI said that the project is significant as the scale of the equipment is midway between laboratory and industrial production, enabling companies to hire the facilities to test the viability of their processes and seek help in developing them.

CPI expects the research conducted at the site will lead to novel sources of energy, the recovery of raw materials and reductions in the volumes of organic waste produced.

Ian Williams, Director of Business and Industry at One North East, added: “This major new facility will be the largest of its kind in the UK and will further strengthen the global position of the North East process sector.

“The High Temperature Innovation Centre will provide innovation and technology support to companies already established in the Tees Valley and new businesses to help the development of their processes, and will be a real asset for the region in attracting international companies who are deciding where to invest.”

The site is scheduled to begin operations in early 2012.

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