Robotics firm eyes nuclear growth

Jun 4 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A ROBOTICS company will double the size of its headquarters and invest in a £250,000 groundbreaking test facility as it prepares to step up its presence in the nuclear energy market.

It may have started life as a toilet brush in a pipe, but the robot created by Durham Pipeline Technology (DPT) has attracted the attention of a some of the world’s largest energy businesses.

It was originally built to clean oil and gas pipelines but, after workingwith several firms including engineering multinational AMEC, DPT’s robot has more recently gone deep into the hazardous network of pipes that lead to nuclear reactors.

And later this year the Gateshead company expects to grow its presence in the UK nuclear energy market with its technology that can clean and inspect pipes and monitor the damage caused by corrosive materials.

Meanwhile it plans to expand its headquarters on Neilson Road from 5,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft and is planning to spend around £250,000 on a hi-tech test facility. According to managing director Nick Searby, the environmental chamber will help the company win over potential clients by proving its technology works in the most extreme conditions.

He said: “The challenges we face are associated with proving the technology will work in the harsh oil and gas environment.

“We are building a very expensive environmental chamber in Gateshead which will give customers the confidence that it works. It’s a big investment to help us get the robots fit for the market .”