30jul08Petec

Building work at the Printable Electronics Technology Centre (PETEC) in Sedgefield has been completed.

Based at NETPark, the Centre will be develop and prototype printed electronics across 3,000 square metres including clean rooms, laboratory space, offices and seminar rooms.

"With the aim of de-risking industrial research and development in printed electronics, PETEC creates a clear route between an innovative idea and a marketable product," said the Centre. "The facility is designed to be a platform for both start-ups and larger manufacturing companies to get prototype and pilot-scale production up and running."

Customers will be able to test design concepts and materials for products, processes, and services.

"The printed electronics industry has the potential to revolutionise consumer electronics and will impact on a host of other technologies," said Tom Taylor, project director for PETEC. "The Centre will offer experience, knowledge, and appropriate infrastructure to support customers in an emerging global market."

Throughout the remainder of the year, equipment including roll to roll processing facilities will be installed ahead of the formal opening early in 2009.

PETEC is managed by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), established by regional development agency One NorthEast.

www.ukPETEC.com

www.uk-cpi.com