WHEN the Queen's Award for Enterprise was presented to DuPont Teijin Films, it was formal recognition for a company whose innovative work in developing polyester film for the growing smart card market has set new standards.

Melinex Corel, a film coating developed by DuPont Teijin Films UK (DTF), based at the Wilton International Centre, Teesside, has gone on to become a market leader in laminated cards around the world, including national identity cards, driving licences, and security cards.

Other core markets for the company include the automotive sector, food and household product packaging, electronic displays, imaging, printing, safety glass and data protection.

DTF has been operating at Wilton since 1983, joining forces with Teijin in a 50-50 partnership in January 2000, to create the world's largest manufacturer of polyester film, at a time of consolidation in the polyester market.

After a string of mergers and acquisitions among the smaller European and Asian manufacturers, a handful of super group suppliers emerged by the end of the 1990s vying for business opportunities.

DuPont was already a primary player in the US and European markets, while Teijin held a leading position in Japan and the wider Asian markets.

By combining the strengths of DuPont and Teijin, the joint venture created a global polyester film producer with the most comprehensive product range in the market.

Its global operations now include sites in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Europe and the US, employing more than 4,000 people and boasting sales in excess of £900m.Wilton site manager, Dr Keith Rollins, explained the reasons behind the partnership.

He said: "DuPont had a strong position in the polyester films markets of Europe and America, while Teijin had the leading position in the Asia Pacific region.

"Both companies recognised synergies between their separate product portfolios and saw the formation of the joint venture as a route to becoming a global supplier."

The DTF operation at Wilton employs about 100 staff, largely in research and development, although activities including marketing and finance are also based there.

The group's only manufacturing operation in the UK is in Dumfries, Scotland, where it employs upwards of 350 staff.

Dr Rollins added: "The operation in Wilton is a research and development site, and was originally moved to Teesside from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, more than a decade ago.

"One of our key areas at the moment is the development of smart card technology for products like driving licences and identity cards.

"Such technology is rapidly being taken up around the globe, with Melinex Core1 holding a strong position in many Asia Pacific markets today.

"We expect this trend towards polyester film to continue into existing European and US application areas where other materials are currently being used."

He added, "The market for polyester-based long-life cards is also growing as card issuers require them to take on ever more complex functions. By the end of this year there will be an estimated 250m cards based on Melinex in circulation globally."

"The market for the cards will grow as they are asked to do a range of more and more complex functions.

"They are already used in identity cards, access and transport fields, and the health sector.

"That's because of the remarkable qualities of Melinex Corel, which when incorporated into a card will not crack, break or snap, has outstanding thermal properties, brilliant image quality and retention, and is recognised as an outstanding material for long-life card applications."

As well as smart cards, DTF also makes a range of films used in many packaging applications for some of the big name players on the high street, including the likes of Marks and Spencer and brands such as Perrier and Ariel.

Dr Rollins concluded: "We will continue to help our customers develop new products. That should ensure that we remain at the forefront of the packaging industry for years to come."