Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol5-2 > County Durham - where science and technology grow

County Durham?s economic strategy recognises that innovation and knowledge-based investment are vital to future economic success and that the County must create and sustain an infrastructure that encourages investment and R&D activity.

Promoting co-operation between universities and business; facilitating technology transfer; and providing space for business incubation are all part of the vision for one of the County?s flagship developments. As a focus for the commercialisation of the region?s innovation, providing an interface between universities and business, the North East Technology Park (NETPark) is making a major contribution to the economic prospects of County Durham and the north east. In a mature parkland setting at Sedgefield, NETPark is one of the UK?s fastest growing science, engineering and technology parks.

NETPark is being driven forward by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), which is encouraging the creation of an innovative, self-sustaining knowledgebased community throughout Durham.

NETPARK boasts: The NETPark Research Institute ? developed to bring Durham University?s world class strengths in research & development and Intellectual Property commercialisation to the park. Links to worldclass research in all five of the universities throughout the region is one of NETPark?s many strengths. The Printable Electronics Technology Centre (PETEC) ? developed and managed by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), PETEC is the UK flagship centre for flexible electronics technology and has state-of-the-art facilities that allow companies to develop prototypes and products, while engaging with universities for collaborative research.

The centre will help to put NETPark and the County at the forefront of revolutionary technologies, poised to exploit a printable electronics market projected to be worth £30 billion by 2015, growing to £200 billion by 2025. The NETPark Incubator ? demand for the adaptable office and laboratory space in the first phase of the Incubator, which offers a total support package for young companies, was so great that it was fully occupied three years ahead of the predicted date. The newly expanded incubation facility at NETPark has more than doubled the space in which exciting new ventures can thrive. Building work has been completed and the 24,000 sq ft Incubator Phase 2 extension is now attracting tenants.

The Incubator is already home to some of the world?s most exciting technology companies:

• Kromek ? digital X-ray and imaging technology with security and other applications;
• ROAR Particles ? nanotechnology to enhance fingerprint detection;
• ANTnano plc ? air handling and detection technology
• Durham Mag Lev Ltd ? revolutionary aerodynamic testing of F1 and other cars.

These are just a selection of the companies that have found NETPark the ideal environment for business growth. Harnessing the north east?s intellectual power and world-class research strengths, it is providing a focal point for the commercialisation of cutting-edge research & development at the centre of a region that places science, engineering and technology at the heart of its economic strategy.

CDDC?s dedicated NETPark team ensures that companies have access to tailored business support that enables them to achieve their potential ? helping them to grow and compete with the best in the world. And there are further developments in the pipeline. Work is already underway on 3 new buildings, each of them capable of becoming the headquarters of a global technology company and ground and infrastructure works for the next stage of NETPark?s land development will see it increase from its present 13 hectares to 16 hectares.

To find out more about business opportunities
at NETPark, visit: www.uknetpark.net or contact
Catherine Johns, CDDC?s Director of
Innovation Development:
Tel: +44 (0) 191 370 8689
E-mail: