CONTRACTS have been signed to bring a research facility to the region that could secure jobs in the chemicals industry.

A national industrial biotechnology facility is being set up at the Wilton chemical complex, on Teesside.

Its work will be vital to the UK chemical industry - securing jobs and bringing environmental benefits.

Biotechnology offers a more environmentally-friendly way of producing chemicals.

The facility will be at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), at Wilton, the centre of excellence set up by regional development agency One NorthEast to develop new products and processes for the chemical sector.

Dr Chris Doyle, of CPI, is leading the research facility project.

The signing of the contract with specialist firm Thermal Transfer will mark the first step towards the facility. The company is carrying out detailed engineering, procurement, and construction that is due to be completed at the end of the year.

It will be a key facility for those working to bring advances in biotechnology to the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

At present, the majority of chemicals and pharmaceuticals are produced using synthetic chemicals at several stages - methods that can waste time and energy and work to the detriment of the environment.

The facility will allow the chemicals industry to use cleaner, greener methods and manufacturing methods using enzymes as catalysts.

CPI hopes the NIBF will be able to sustain itself financially within two years.

Dr Doyle said: "We were delighted to be told this multi-million-pound national facility - funded with the help of One NorthEast via the Northern Way - would be based at the Centre for Process Innovation and signing the contract is another giant step forward for us.

"This will establish the North of England as the UK centre for demonstration and scale-up of industrial biotechnology. And it will provide us with the capability to embrace industrial biotechnology and create new jobs.

"This technology is much more environmentally-friendly than traditional chemical manufacturing and embraces sustainable manufacturing for the future.

"The Tees Valley has a huge stake in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries - and therefore has the most to gain from being at the forefront of innovation, in new processes and biotechnology."

CPI chief executive Nigel Perry said: "OK, everyone might not think biotechnology is as exciting as we do. But they will be enthused about the jobs, opportunities and prosperity success this field will bring."