The Wales Geoenvironmental Research Park (GRP) - an unique all-Wales research and development facility with world class expertise in the environment and waste markets - is set to become the first occupant of the new £8.6million Technium for Sustainable Technologies.

Work on the new centre on Baglan Energy Park is well underway with the steel work nearing completion and the building programme on schedule and due to be completed by April 2005.

The Sustainable Technologies Technium is the latest sector specific business innovation centre in the pan Wales Technium network geared to support companies with high growth potential and encourage innovation, research and development.

Minister for Economic Development Andrew Davies said: “The Technium concept is a made-in-Wales idea which has already proved successful in Swansea – turning our brightest academic ideas into dynamic business opportunities.

“The new Sustainable Technologies Technium highlights the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment both to sustainable development – where we have a reputation as world leaders – and also to the kind of high-tech innovation that the Technium roll-out is bringing to all parts of Wales.”

The sustainable technology sector has been identified as having considerable future growth potential, both nationally and internationally. Wales already has significant academic expertise in a number of fields and the early involvement of GRP - an Objective One backed spin-out project from Cardiff University’s Geoenvironmental Research Centre - in this latest Technium is seen as a huge boost and an added attraction for start up companies.

Work carried out by GRP, particularly the development of novel technologies and techniques, has already attracted interest from Europe, US and South Africa and its involvement will bring an international dimension to Technium.

GRP is a unique partnership involving a number of local, national and international organisations and businesses with expertise in the broad field of land regeneration and sustainability.

Since its creation two years ago GRP has created six new hi-tech spin out companies and been involved in a range of R&D projects mostly in collaboration with Objective 1 SMEs and government organisations.

The main thrust of its involvement in Technium – which will be subject to Objective One funding,will be to create additional companies, new jobs and significantly increase the turnover in assisted companies.

Last year it set up a number of working groups to identify key concepts that could be taken from initial ideas through to commercialisation – several new and exciting products emerged which utilised key waste stockpiles in Wales, including quarry dust waste, slate waste and colliery shale. These products are undergoing development trials prior to being tested in the marketplace.

The WDA is currently undertaking research to identify what others areas of sustainable technology the Technium will focus on and to define the competencies within the local and regional research base for sustainable technologies.

Technium Chief Executive Steve Davies said the field of sustainable technologies was a fast growing sector that had huge growth potential.

“One of the largest growth areas is predicted to be waste management particularly as a result of new legislation. The involvement of GRP provides us with the opportunity to develop world beating technologies that can be exported to provide solutions around the world.

“The timeliness of this Technium project, in view of the Johannesburg conference and the energy saving and low carbon targets set by government, cannot be overemphasised.”

Councillor Noel Crowley, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said the ground breaking marked the start of an exciting new chapter in the development of Baglan Energy Park.

“The Technium will provide a first class research and development facility for the kind of companies that we have been working to attract to Neath Port Talbot.

“We welcome the news that GRP are set to be the first tenants and look forward to seeing them move into what will be a very impressive building.

“We are providing significant match funding for the project and by investing in Technium, the Council is confident that new companies will be created and others attracted to the Energy Park because of its growing reputation as a superb location for business.”

The Sustainable Technologies Technium, which has received £2.2m Objective One funding, is being developed in partnership with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, the Welsh Development Agency, University of Wales Swansea, and BP and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. The solar centre on Baglan Energy Park will be incorporated into the Technium.

The 3,400 sq mt building will be developed to the energy efficient BREEAM excellent standard. It is anticipated that within the first few years 25 new companies will be created as a result of the initiative and 125 highly skilled jobs created.

Accommodation in the Baglan Energy Park headquarters will be available for companies while the Technium is under construction.

The main contractors are Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd trading as E. Turner and Sons.

For more information contact: Shan Ekin-Wood Tel 029 20828693