First Knowledge Transfer Network meeting held

The first meeting of the Operations Board of the Materials-based UK Faraday organisations - the Knowledge Transfer Network - took place under the chairmanship of Robert Quarshie of the DTI.

The first meeting of the Operations Board of the new grouping of Materials-based UK Faraday organisations - the Knowledge Transfer Network - took place last week in London, UK, on Wednesday November 2, under the chairmanship of Robert Quarshie of the DTI.

Richard Simpson, director of Faraday Plastics - the UK's leading resource and coordinator for polymer-based research - said that: "Our launch meeting was extremely positive, with a good team spirit among all the Faraday organisations.'" According to Simpson Faraday Plastics will not only retain its identity and independence within the new Materials KTN grouping but will also receive: "A substantial increase in funding over the next three years." Simpson adds that: "There are no disadvantages at all under the new Materials KTN.

In fact it is extremely logical and sensible to be working in this way with colleagues in composites, packaging, technical textiles and other materials-based interests".

"We shall be able to collaborate more creatively together, share and cross fertilise best ideas and also share common platforms and resources." The Materials KTN, which is the largest group to be formed in the DTI reorganisation, includes the Faraday partnerships of Advance, Packaging, Powdermatrix, Technical Textiles, as well as Plastics, together with Smart Materials Surfaces and Structures Network and the National Composites Network.

The new KTN network will be formally launched by Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Sainsbury, on Jan 19, 2006 in the IMAX cinema at the Science Museum, London.

The new Knowledge Transfer Networks will build on the successful Faraday model, which has been key in encouraging industry and academia to work together to bring new products and processes to the market.

Simpson says: "This renewal of our remit within the new KTN structure is very exciting news for UK plastics".

"We intend to use our increased funding and new network outlets to push further forward into the plastics manufacturing community, creating more commercial opportunities for new plastics-based ideas and products.".

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