We launch the drive for a new revolution
Jun 10 2009 By The Journal and Evening Gazette
The revolutionary pathways
New Materials and Processes
Plastic electronics with its mind-boggling array of uses from clothing to drugs delivery, bio-fingerprinting, and engineering at the molecular level is tipped for exponential growth. Indeed, the region's materials and process industries are already vital to the North-east economy and to that of the country as a whole. Now attention is turning to joining up the supply chain and growing the sector from within the North-east.
Digital Media and Creative
A network of world leading digital companies to rival the likes of Silicon Valley could one day be a reality in the North-east. Regeneration bosses on Teesside are already supporting the sector with Boho - the new digital quarter at the heart of Middlesbrough - opening this summer. With the right levels of commitment and co-ordination, the region could become a recognised global centre for the digital sectors, acting as a magnet for skilled workers and new businesses, while the use of technology by all businesses could also overtake the UK average.
Healthcare
Some of the world’s leading life science experts live and work in the North-east while thousands of families suffer under the UK’s worst health conditions. Health bosses say they want to change that within a decade, and then build on their groundbreaking work to take their treatments to the rest of the world. Our ageing population presents a major challenge for the healthcare industry, but meeting those problems head-on could provide major opportunities.
Opportunities will include areas such as diagnostics, technology to assist people suffering from dementia and regenerative medicine.
Low Carbon Transportation
The North East could be the starting point for a global shift to electric cars, lorries and vans. Studies are already under way to see how best we can invest in the technology and infrastructure needed. If successful, the creation of region-wide charging points could become a model for the rest of the world to follow, supplied by plug-in points produced by Nissan and its suppliers on Teesside. The emerging sector builds on the region's strengths in energy, fuels, materials and automotive engineering.
New Energy
Potentially the most important for Teesside, renewable energy and climate change technologies are already transforming the face of business.
The region’s success in the production and maintenance of wind turbines, especially offshore, will be crucial to building a global reputation in new energy technologies. Alongside wind energy, however, there is potential for jobs and investment in clean coal, bio-energy, community based systems and photovoltaics. The region's industrial heritage is critical to success in this area. It has a legacy of engineering skills, a culture that readily grasps large scale projects and it has the right infrastructure at the ports.
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What they think
Richard Lambert, Director-General, CBI:“ If North-east companies can quickly align their business investment and R&D capability to developments such as electric vehicles and their supporting infrastructure, they have a chance of being real contenders in not just the national roll-out of these technologies but in the international infrastructure development.”
Andy Allan, chairman of regional digital research group Codeworks:
"If we don't take this on board, we will be left looking back over our shoulders at the former glories of ship building and coal mining. That would be a tragedy."
Matthew Lumsden, business development director at North-east energy consultants TNEI: "Low carbon transport and infrastructure will become fundamental to the way we all behave. North-east leadership at this early stage will open up a global opportunity."
Chris Pywell, head of strategic economic change at One North East:
"Energy is one of the region's great strengths and great opportunities. It is vital that the region as a whole understands the opportunity."
Nigel Perry, chief executive, CPI, Wilton: "As mankind demands a more sustainable lifestyle, the North-east will continue to provide solutions."
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