26th March 2009

£30 million boost for new materials chemistry centre

The Northwest is set to become an international hub for materials chemistry research following the launch today of a new £30 million ‘virtual’ Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC).

Formally launched today (26th March) by the Rt Hon John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills – the KCMC will build on leading edge academic research and expertise in the Universities of Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester and the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory. 

It will provide a single point of access for industry to a wide spectrum of multi-disciplinary research in applied materials chemistry, in order to achieve innovative knowledge transfer for companies of all sizes. 

Materials chemistry covers a broad range of science and technology competencies that are crucial in delivering product innovations in fields as diverse as bio-medical devices, pharmaceuticals, personal care products coatings, electronic materials and renewable energy sources.

Initial funding of £8 million from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is matched by £7m of academic commitment and resources by the partner institutions. This investment will provide the Northwest with an internationally renowned capability in materials chemistry and leverage further industry and international grant income in access of £15million over the next five years.

Rt. Hon John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:
“The KCMC is a fantastic initiative with huge potential to explore many exciting areas. It gives me great pleasure to see the centre launched at the Daresbury campus - helping to place it as the major, international, science and innovation hub it deserves to be. Some of the very best science has been carried out at Daresbury and the launch of the KCMC is a further step towards ensuring this proud tradition continues.”

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “The region’s chemical industry has a turnover of £10 billion per annum, with at least half of the companies in the sector relying in some way on materials chemistry. This project will enable the leading materials chemistry research centres in the Northwest to better exploit their capabilities in order to drive significant industrial growth in the region.”

With a dedicated team of 15 new project scientists, the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry will work in collaboration with industry on translational research projects that will enable companies to develop new commercial opportunities.  An independent knowledge transfer team, led by a leading industrial scientist, Dr John Conti-Ramsden, will develop and manage the collaborative research projects, drive increased industrial R&D spend and ensure the services of the centre are effectively linked to industry need.

The investment in the Knowledge Centre will create up to 20 new high value jobs and establish many new opportunities for work based training that will enhance the science skills and expertise of Northwest based companies.

The initial focus of the centre will also seek to create over 200 new collaborations between business and the knowledge base that will deliver new commercial opportunities.

For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press Officer on 01925 400552 or 07810 528 471 or Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk 

Or

Andrew Smalley, Chemistry Innovation,
Tel: 0161 763 6342 or 07802 773604
email: andrew.smalley@ciktn.co.uk

For further information and to view all press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press    

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life