Member Article

R&D centre benefits North West business

Businesses are being encouraged to register for funded research and development from a new Centre for Global Eco Innovation in the North West.

The centre, which brings together expertise, resources and global contacts from Lancaster University and the University of Liverpool, along with international commercialisation consultancy Inventya Ltd, aims to drive green technology and services.

Businesses will be matched with 50 of the UK’s brightest graduates who will complete three-year R&D projects in partnership with the business to develop new products, processes and services for the global marketplace that have positive environmental benefits.

The new products and services developed will help each business increase profitability and deliver a significant number of new jobs to the region.

In addition to intensive three-year collaborations, the centre will also work via Inventya Ltd to deliver a programme of business support for companies exploring the export market and a range of other opportunities for collaborative working with both universities.

Project Manager Dr Phil Leigh said: “A number of businesses have already been partnered up with experts at Lancaster University and the University of Liverpool, kick starting some genuinely exciting possibilities.

“Our business and academic teams are already exploring new products and services with the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“These range from developing technology for a low-cost, power-free renal therapy device to techniques for future domestic energy control for low carbon buildings.

“We also have projects looking at new approaches to sustainable pest control using light and partners exploring technology for a novel transparent biopolymer that has the potential to revolutionise the design of contact lenses and corneal bandages.”

The centre is set to receive £4.9m of funds from the European Regional Development Fund’s North West operational programme.

SMEs have until June 11 to register, and collaborative projects will start in October. Details of the scheme can be found here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .