The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has awarded Surgo Construction the contract to build CPI’s National Formulation Centre.
The building will be based at NETPark in Sedgefield, County Durham, located alongside CPI’s Printable Electronics and Graphene Application Centres, which will enable CPI to provide a joined up approach to the development of next generation formulated products.
Work was due to commence at the site in October 2016, with the centre fully operational from December 2017; however, facilities are already open for business at NETPark’s Discovery 2 building.
The new building is expected to house more than 35 staff in both technical and non-technical roles, and will bring opportunities for up to 90 construction-based jobs during the build project.
Howarth Litchfield, one of the region’s leading architectural practices, won the role of lead consultant and principal designer on the scheme after a competitive tender. The firm’s winning design reflects the style of existing architecture at NETPark, with a building of similar appearance and quality in a sleek, modern contemporary form.
'This contract is significant, both for Surgo Construction and for the role that CPI will play, once building is completed, in ensuring the region makes its mark at the cutting edge of technology and within the next generation of formulated products and their applications,' said Jeff Alexander, Director. Five years ago Surgo Construction completed NETPark 3 – a 1,768m2 production and cleanroom facility.
CPI’s Formulation Director Graeme Cruickshank said: 'We are delighted to have Surgo on board to deliver the new centre. The contract will help anchor R&D, manufacturing and jobs in the North East, and is an important step along the way to helping deliver CPI’s lighthouse vision for the formulating industries.'
