Merger will cement region’s reputation

Apr 16 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A MERGER between major organisations is expected to boost investment into the region’s process industry by £5m a year within five years.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and technology group Cenamps have merged in a bid to cement the region’s reputation as a national centre for innovation in the process industry.

The new Government-backed CPI will incorporate more than 70 scientists, engineers and support staff and aims to bring together industry and academia by focusing on advanced processes, low carbon energy, functional materials and printable electronics. Currently CPI and Cenamps generate a combined £10m to £15m a year of investment into the region’s process industry.

According to CPI chief executive Nigel Perry this figure is expected to rise to £20m as part of the newly-formed organisation’s five year plan.

Processing has been the UK’s fastest growing sector over the last 10 years and is now worth £70bn to the national economy.

The North East contributes around 25% of this figure, with the sector representing around 30% of the region’s industrial base.