Materials institute opens door to Teesside SMEs

The Institute, based in Teesside, said it recently opened the doors to its new ‘demonstrator space’ to enable local SMEs to develop and demonstrate new technologies without many of the risks associated with full-scale production.

Part funded by the government’s Local Growth Fund and the Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) enterprise partnership, the facility includes an on-site pilot plant, scale-up and demonstrator facilities.

“It creates easy to access space for clients to set up any technologies or processes they are developing in a safe, secure and controlled environment,” said Gerard Stephens, director of the SME Technology Centre at the MPI.

“We have experienced scientists, engineers and technicians who are available to work with clients to provide analysis, advice and support as products and processes progress from initial concepts to full scale commercialisation.”

Set over 600sq metres, the demonstrator space is divided into serviced bays each offering access to electricity, mains pressure water, compressed air, propane, natural gas and nitrogen.

Other features include a lifting beam combined with a 1-tonne overhead crane, access via roller shutter doors, LED lighting, roof-mounted radiant heaters and an adjacent loading bay area.