A PROJECT to develop a new generation of powdered metals in the North-East could create hundreds of jobs in the region, bosses have claimed.
Global steel and industrial group Liberty has launched a £10m project with the Materials Processing Institute (MPI), based in Middlesbrough, to create an advanced range of speciality alloy metal powders.
The work has resulted in around 20 jobs in the short term, but in the long term around 250 new roles could be created.
The project will allow the manufacture of stronger, lighter metals which are easier to turn into high-precision products, with zero waste.
They can be used in 3D printing where three-dimensional objects, such as car parts, are created under computer control by laying down thin layers of material in succession.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Cllr Sue Jeffrey, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, met with Liberty's technical director, Dr Simon Pike, and the Institute's commercial director, Anders Jersby, yesterday to learn more about the project.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority announced previously they will invest £4.6m in the project.
MPI is a research and innovation entre based at South Bank, which provides research services in advanced materials, low carbon energy and the circular economy.
Mr Houchen said: "This project is a huge coup for the Tees Valley – we are helping a business with high growth potential and boosting our research credentials while creating good quality jobs for local people.
"Using the money devolved to our area from government, we are investing today the jobs of tomorrow.
"It is a brilliant opportunity to build on our already strong research and development experience to create a new advanced manufacturing cluster that will be an asset to the UK."
Cllr Jeffrey said: "Meeting the experts has just underlined the huge potential of this innovative technology.
"It is yet another example of pioneering research and development taking place in Redcar and helping to put it, and the wider region, on the map."
Dr Pike said: "This project will be a very significant step forward for the international metals industry.
"We are very proud to work with valued partners to bring this game-changing innovation to the North-East and to build on the excellent foundations laid by the Cascade project.
"We are confident it will unlock many other exciting opportunities for advanced industries in the region over the coming years."
Mr Jersby said: "The Institute has enjoyed a very successful and longstanding partnership with Liberty, and we are delighted to be supporting the next phase of its powder metals project.
"Our collaborative expertise and the capabilities within advanced materials at the Institute will be integral to the success of the project, as well as the continued development of additive manufacturing process."
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