THE boss of a new North-East science hub has told The Northern Echo the site will have a global impact on innovation.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has begun work on its National Formulation Centre.

Bosses confirmed the new centre, based at NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, will take on 35 permanent staff, but will be mainly used to help companies work together in research and development and in the centre’s laboratories.

The site is due to be completed in December next year and will support 90 construction jobs, however equipment that will be used in the centre is already in operation.

The facilities are being housed in CPI’s other buildings until work is completed.

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo at a launch event today (November 25), Graeme Cruickshank, director of the National Formulation Centre, said the site will make innovation bigger, faster and cheaper.

“Formulation is the newest baby in the CPI family.

“Nearly every product you see in the supermarket is made using formulation.

“It is hard for people to understand that it is used to make everyday products.

Formulation is a complex process of mixing ingredients together to make products, including foods, medicines, cosmetics and detergents.

Chocolate bars, mayonnaise and cold and flu remedies were among the products on display at the launch event as examples of goods created by formulation.

“The centre will be available and accessible to all, whether that be big organisations, small businesses or universities,” added Mr Cruickshank.

“It will strengthen regional roots, support the nation, and also be an impact globally.”

The centre was first unveiled in the government’s Autumn Statement in 2014, and two years on, business leaders at the site’s launch event were pleased with the messages the Chancellor had given when it came to innovation.

Hans Miller, innovation director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership which provided £8.9m of funding for the new project, said: “It was clear that innovation is part of the government’s strategy going forward which is very important for us and I am glad to hear that.”

Mr Cruickshank added: “Britain needs to be more productive. That doesn’t mean less people – it means people delivering better quality products.”

Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, said: “This is a significant development for NETPark and is another step towards our ambition to be the global hub for companies integrating novel materials into innovative products that transform lives all over the world.

“We are very proud that CPI chose to locate the National Formulation Centre here in Durham, which will help many more businesses to develop pioneering products.”