T H E U K S T R A T E G I C I N V E S T M E N T F U N D – I N T E R I M R E P O R T
l £ 2 million investment( joint with the South West RDA with a £ 0.5 million contribution from the SIF) to support the development of a Centre of Excellence for Silicon Design. Silicon electronics is the design, development and manufacture of extremely small electronic devices on wafers of singlecrystal silicon that consume very little electric power. The investment will support innovative activity as well as skills development and networking in the sector.
l £ 12 million of support for an Industrial Biotechnology demonstrator and a £ 2.5 million fund( via the Technology Strategy Board) to enable small and medium sized companies to access demonstration facilities. These investments reflect the importance of industrial biotechnology in advancing our capabilities in the chemicals and chemistry-using sectors. Regional Development Agency One North East has earmarked up to £ 1.5 million to help strategic partners in the region to access the facilities. This funding will help many sectors of the economy access the opportunities industrial biotechnology presents.
Dirk Carrez, EuropaBio’ s Director, Industrial Biotechnology said:
“ A competitive European Knowledge-based Bioeconomy can only be realised when the European Union and the member states put a coherent policy framework in place. What has been done in the UK will motivate industry to continue investment in this emerging and innovative industrial sector”.
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