10:36am Tuesday 24th February 2009
By Owen McAteer
FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair is supporting a company protecting air travellers from terrorism.
Kromek, based on the North-East Technology Park, in Sedgefield, County Durham, held a launch event for its “sniffing” device, which detects explosive liquids in containers, at the British Embassy, in Washington DC.
Mr Blair sent a video message supporting the company, which was played at the event.
The launch and a similar event in Dubai, organised with support from the North-East office of UK Trade and Investment, has led to trials and orders.
Further advances by the company could see travellers no longer prevented from carrying liquids through airport security.
The developments by Kromek, formerly Durham Scientific Crystals, has enabled it to more than double its workforce to 42 in the past year.
Commercial director Nigel Day said: “In Washington, we had an introductory video that Mr Blair recorded for us, with us being based in the Sedgefield area.
“We are waiting to be carried forward into a number of international trials. We feel pretty confident.”
Washington DC was chosen for the launch because it enabled the firm to present the product to the department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for deciding which devices are suitable for US airports.
As a result of the Dubai event, the company has had its first order from the United Arab Emirates.
But Kromek is developing even more advanced equipment and, last year, the Durham University spinout company signed a £400,000 deal with the Home Office to develop a baggage scanner to identify explosive liquids, which is due to be unveiled by the middle of next year.
Mr Day said: “We are not a onetrick pony from a technology point of view. I see the airport of the future more based around our products in terms of being able to put your bag on a conveyer belt, take it through a scanning device and enable you to get a very clear view of what is in the bag.
“I think all our devices will be part of an overall international security strategy.”
Tony Blair’s former agent, John Burton, said: “Tony sent a message because of his great interest in the technology park. He was there for the launch, as well as the opening of some of the incubators.”
As well as anti-terrorism uses, the devices could be used in the war on drug smuggling.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/