Written by Jonny Williamson
Element Six (E6), part of the world’s leading diamond group De Beers’, has reported that the $32m facility will consolidate its research and development teams from around the globe into one centralised location. The investment will create a pipeline of innovative products in the process for clients across a diverse range of sectors, such as oil and gas drilling, machining and electronics.
By combining the extremes of heat and pressure, Element Six produce synthetic diamond supermaterials for use in cutting and grinding tools, drills, polishers, electronics and lasers.
Element Six CEO, Cyrus Jilla, said of the proposal:
“I am positive it will deliver higher performance products for our customers, disruptive technologies for new applications and markets, inspire new related businesses in the UK, and provide an extremely rewarding environment for our scientists who are at the forefront of their field.”
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Steve Coe, Innovation Director for Element Six, added:
“The UK has a great research and development base. It is still the case that three of the top ten science and engineering universities in the world are based in the UK.”
The location for the Global Innovation Centre, Harwell (20 minutes from Oxford), was chosen by Element Six in conjunction with UK Trade & Investment, as a place with a growing international reputation for high-tech advancements, an existing dynamic, talented community and expanding global connections.
Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, commented:
“The investment by Element Six, which will bring a world class research and development facility to Harwell, shows that the UK is a great place for innovative and cutting edge industries to invest.”
Work is has already started at the site and construction is expected to be completed by the mid-2013, employing over 100 engineers, scientists and technicians, as well as creating 50 new positions. The company has said that the new positions will be made available to graduate scientists, engineers and physicists.
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