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Steel Solar
Tata Steel hails SPECIFIC research grant as major step forward in developing sustainable uses of steel
Following the announcement today by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and the TSB (Technology Strategy Board) of a £9.5m award to an academic and industrial consortium led by Swansea University, Tata Steel has stressed the significance of the announcement for the development of hi-tech sustainable coated product
The project, which with partner contributions has funding totalling £20m, is called SPECIFIC (the Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovative Functional Industrial Coatings) and Tata Steel Europe is the lead industrial partner in this initiative. The consortium also includes a number of other internationally recognised academic and industrial partners (see note below). Located in South Wales, SPECIFIC aims to develop a portfolio of products that will turn buildings into power stations and generate over one third of the UK's requirement for renewable energy by 2020.
Mr Uday Chaturvedi, the newly appointed Chief Technology Officer for Tata Steel Europe, says: "This is a major example of the company's strategy to exploit our technical capabilities to deliver superior value for our customers and stakeholders. We are delighted to be part of a consortium that includes so many internationally respected organisations, including several long-standing academic and industrial partners.
"Renewable energy represents a significant growth area for the company and one where Tata Steel can lead the industry, whilst at the same time delivering significant benefits to society in terms of energy generation and CO2 reduction," Mr Chaturvedi adds.
"The project is a major step forward for steel and sustainable development and I would like to thank the EPSRC and TSB for their commitment to this opportunity. I would also like to thank the Welsh Assembly Government for the vital role it has played in bringing about this announcement."
Mr Peter Strikwerda, MD of the Tata Steel Colors business, says: "We are a European market leader in the building envelope sector, and sustainability represents a major opportunity for us to extend this leadership further. This is our fourth multi-million pound collaboration in renewable energy, which includes the Photo-voltaic Accelerator Facility and the Sustainable Building Envelope Centre at our Shotton site in North Wales. SPECIFIC will significantly increase the speed with which we can bring great research ideas to market."
SPECIFIC will be led by Mr Kevin Bygate, who has for many years been at the leading edge of new technology development within the pre-coated steel and coatings areas. He comments: "I am convinced that we can deliver coated products that will revolutionise the way the roofs and walls of buildings are used. SPECIFIC represents a ground-breaking initiative for the industries involved and an opportunity to create significant economic value."
