By participating in the new KTN network, companies will be able to learn about, and make use of, the very latest global developments in materials technology.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury launched the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network, at the Science Museum last Thursday Jan 19, describing it as a new partnership between businesses, research and technology organisations and universities that would help give UK manufacturing an edge as global markets become ever more competitive. Lord Sainsbury said: 'The Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) will bring together industry and research expertise, and as a result make the best use of resources and spread best practice'. 'It will provide a one stop shop for unsurpassed materials advice to UK manufacturing and service providers.' The new KTN, said Sainsbury was an organisation aimed at making cutting-edge science available on the factory floor.

The new KTN includes the successful Faraday Plastics partnership - the UK's leading resource and coordinator for polymer-based research.

Richard Simpson, Faraday Plastics director said that: 'We feel energised and motivated by the Government's new initiative in materials.

At our Board Meeting on the eve of the launch we resolved a full commitment to our new materials partners in the network.

It is in fact vital that all of us - in plastics, textiles, ceramics and metals - work creatively and industriously with each other in order to grow the materials sector and the many opportunities in it.' Simpson adds that: 'This renewal of our remit within the new KTN structure is also very exciting news for UK plastics.

We intend to use our increased funding and new network resources to push innovations ever forward into the plastics manufacturing community.' By participating in the new KTN network, companies will be able to learn about, and make use of, the very latest developments in materials technology from around the world.

Businesses will have access to the very best of our scientific and manufacturing facilities to research and apply innovations in the use of materials.

The Department of Trade and Industry will provide more than GBP 11 million for the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network over the next three years.Under the chairmanship of Robert Quarshie of the DTI, the new materials grouping is an important element in the UK Government's aim to consolidate the sector as one of today's key drivers for a successful manufacturing sector.

The GBP 200 billion materials sector is estimated to contribute 15% to the nation's GDP, directly employs 1.5 million people and supports another 4 million jobs.

The Materials Knowledge Transfer Network will also give users access to up-to-date information on materials properties, where to get advice, research and development and other services and provide a forum for sharing information.

The network will have sections dedicated to each class of material, for example, metals, composites, plastics, ceramics, minerals and smart materials.

Simpson points out, however, 'That the KTN is far from an abstract tool.

At Faraday Plastics demand is high for our technology translators and we continue to deploy them throughout the industry to good effect - in matching their ideas to solution suppliers and in helping them Technology Road Map their future; gain access to grants and funds and also recoup tax breaks for company research and development spend.'