UK's DTI supports plastics research centre

Faraday Plastics, the UK's plastics research and development centre, has agreed its business plan for the next three years with the Government's Department of Trade and Industry.

Faraday Plastics, the UK's plastics research and development centre, has agreed its business plan for the next three years with the Government's Department of Trade and Industry.

The new-look Faraday Plastics board met at Rapra Technology's Shawbury offices on Friday June 27.

The meeting was chaired by Faraday's new chairman, Professor Tony Ledwith, the outgoing chairman of the EPSRC and a polymer enthusiast who is set to develop the outreach of the Faraday Plastics mission.

Professor William Banks of the University of Strathclyde is appointed Faraday Plastics Research and Training Director.

Faraday Plastics has also recruited a number of blue chip manufacturing companies to boost the composition of the board.

For Faraday Plastics Director, Richard Simpson, the renewal of the Faraday Plastics funding and mission gives a renewed energy and urgency to the opportunities in UK polymers.

'We are delighted to be embarked on another three-year period of expansion.

I urge all in the sector - industry and academe - to come forward with proposals of innovation and research and let us see where and whether Faraday Plastics can help.' Simpson adds that 'the Government's decision to renew the Faraday Plastics grant gives companies in the UK plastics sector until spring 2006 to be able to continue to attract plastics technology development funding.' Faraday Plastics has identified and selected a number of priority areas for its focussed attention over the next three years.

These are energy; recycling and sustainability and nano and smart materials.

All of these technologies will be set to deliver results - particularly in the automotive and healthcare markets.

Lord Sainsbury, Government Minister for Science and Innovation recently paid tribute to the work of Faraday Plastics at the British Plastics Federation landmark 2003 Spring conference.

Sainsbury said that 'I am pleased that the Plastics Faraday has already helped add some coherence to the disparate and fragmented activities that are taking place in this sector.

It has helped facilitate better collaboration between different universities.

And it has helped stimulate new products and processes, new patents, and new start-up companies.' Sainsbury added that 'Faraday Plastics cannot, however, fulfil all its ambitions unless industry itself is fully engaged.

I urge all of you to become involved in it and to make use of its resources for your business.'.

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