New £20m fund unveiled to boost cleantech innovation in Tees Valley

A new multi-million pound fund designed to boost the innovation of clean industries and products in Tees Valley has been unveiled.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has revealed a near £20m project which aims to support infrastructure projects being carried out by research and innovation centres in the region.

The projects include a new bioscience incubator at Central Park in Darlington, as well as the creation of a new innovation facility that will focus on clean growth, hydrogen and the circular economy offering office and project space for companies locating onto the South Tees Development Corporation site, incubator and large-scale demonstration facilities.

The funding will also be used to support Mayor Houchen’s commitment to delivering hydrogen fuelling stations, as well as supporting training and other activities around the digital sector.

Mayor Houchen commented: “There is some truly amazing ground-breaking work going on right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, with our highly skilled workers using their expertise in a range of sectors, from clean energy and next-generation manufacturing to bioscience and digital.

“These are the products and processes of the future and are key sectors we need to support, and we as a region are leading the way. This investment will help our first-class research and innovation centres expand their work and create jobs in the sectors we are championing.

“Creating the jobs of tomorrow means investing in the right technology today. I’m delighted that this funding will support a number of significant projects, helping to put us firmly on the map when it comes to clean industry and innovation.”