North East firms to enhance particle science technology

Two North East technological powerhouses have joint forces to enhance their facilities in powder technology and particle science.

Proctor & Gamble and International Innovative Technologies Ltd (IIT) have a shared interest in fine grinding process development and have come together in a special technical co-operation arrangement.

Proctor & Gamble will make its advanced powder and particle characterisation laboratory in Newcastle available to IIT to support its in-house analytical facility.

In turn, Gateshead-based IIT will give P&G access to its full scale patented fine grinding facility in Team Valley for specialist R&D work on the reduction of bulk materials and hard minerals into fine powders.

P&G’s Newcastle Innovation Centre is one of the world’s most advanced analytical laboratories for powder and particle science.

The centre’s cutting edge research and innovation capability has been central to the development of numerous P&G products and brands over the years.

Tom Wilkinson chairman of IIT, said: “We are indebted to P&G for making this world class materials testing facility available to us.

“Access to this specialist technology will enable us to undertake in-depth analysis of powders and particles to help us to solve critical material issues on both live and prospective customer projects.

“This will give us a significant technical advantage in our marketplace.”

Within the extensive P&G product range there are many examples where the reduction of hard substances into fine powders is a fundamental requirement. Local access to IIT’s full scale low energy milling plant will form an important resource for future R&D activities and materials testing programmes.

The IIT m-series technology is suitable for the low energy milling of a wide range of natural raw materials, minerals and industrial products, including aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, zirconium, limestone products‚ coal‚ glass, GRP, fly ash and different types of furnace slag.

Nigel Sommroberts of P&G’s Newcastle Innovation Centre, said: “This is a mutually beneficial arrangement that will help each company in its own particular sector and area of interest in particle science.

“As well as providing both companies local access to very specialist and complementary facilities, the closer working relationship will undoubtedly help to improve the technical capability and understanding of both partners.”