17/02/2006

UK Trade & Investment will be leading a delegation of pioneering UK nanotechnology organisations at the flagship nano tech 2006 event, taking place in Tokyo next week.

In all, seventeen organisations will be represented at the event, including Akubio, a Cambridge-based instruments company, AML, leaders in aligned wafer-bonding techniques and Salisbury-based Nanosight, recently awarded Department for Trade & Industry funding to develop a revolutionary new method of detecting biological agents.

Other UK companies traveling to Tokyo include Oxford Instruments, a leading provider of nanotechnology tools and systems and a pioneer of processes targeted at high brightness LED applications. The London Centre for Nanotechnology will also be present, with a dedicated area to profile the new bio-nanotechnology facility based at University College London.

The exhibition includes a new product showcase where MNT products made by UK companies will be exhibited. For example, metaFAB will showcase its new dual, femtosecond deep ultraviolet laser machining facility built by UK laser systems integrator Exitech Ltd.

In separate news, the UK Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network has announced it is inviting applications for the 2006 MNT Quality Mark scheme. The Quality Mark is designed to benchmark the development and implementation of best practice and to set a strict minimum standard of performance and achievement for MNT companies.

The scheme was launched last year with the first six MNT companies receiving their awards at an official ceremony in September. Firms or organisations are now being invited to apply for certification within the 2006 application round. All companies who are members of the MNT directory, a comprehensive database of the UK's MNT facilities and services, are eligible for the free benchmarking survey.

Chief Executive of UKTI's Inward Investment Group, William Pedder commented:

“The UK nanotechnology industry is truly world-class and the seventeen organisations attending nano tech 2006 are leaders in the sector. International interest in our MNT companies is growing all the time and nano tech 2006 will provide a platform for UK companies to consolidate links with the Japanese market. With government trade and investment support, such as that provided by UK Trade & Investment, MNT Network and the Regional Development Agencies, we are confident that the UK will continue to grow its world-class nanotech capabilities.”

Director of the Micro and Nanotechnology Network, Professor Hugh Clare, commented:

“The UK is taking the global lead in terms of developing a framework for the emerging nanotechnology industry, and take-up of the MNT Quality Mark shows that companies are already looking favourably on this initiative. We would encourage all UK MNT companies to consider applying for the Quality Mark”

The MNT Quality Mark scheme certified six firms in 2006, namely Epigem, Trikon Technologies, OMCS-BegbrokeNano, Farfield Sensors, QinetiQ Nanomaterials and Intertek.

The audit process is a customised version of the tried and tested Manufacturing Excellence model and in order to be awarded the MNT Quality Mark, companies must be above average in at least 5 of the 8 core areas of manufacturing. These are Customer Focus, Product Innovation, Process Innovation, Resource Efficiency, People Effectiveness, Change Management, e-Business and Financial Management.

Information on the MNT Quality Mark scheme will be available on the UK Pavilion at nano tech.

The seventeen organisations attending nano tech 2006, listed below, will be exhibiting their latest products and processes and will be available for cooperation discussions.

Notes
1. UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for both UK companies engaged in overseas trade, and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location.  For more information visit the web site at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

2. The UK Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network was set up to assist with the commercialization of MNT in the UK. It is the primary source of information about the commercial usage of MNT in the UK. MNT Network was established in 2003 by the DTI and the 12 Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations. www.mntforum.com

3. nano tech 2006 is taking place from 21-23 February at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.  Visit UK Trade & Investment and the MNT Network at the UK pavilion, Stand E17 or www.uknano.biz for further information. 

4. UK Trade & Investment can offer briefing on the nanotechnology industry with a UK expert, at nano tech 2006 or via telephone.

5. nano tech 2006 will showcase seventeen organisations located in the UK who are at the forefront of global nanotechnology:
· Akubio Ltd - www.akubio.com
· Applied Microengineering Ltd - www.aml.co.uk
· UK DTI MNT Bio-Nano Centre - www.imperial.ac.uk/biomedeng
· Bristol Colloid Centre - www.thebcc.co.uk
· Epigem Ltd - www.epigem.co.uk
· Institute of Biomedical Engineering - www.imperial.ac.uk/biomedeng
· Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd. - www.kelvinnanotechnology.com
· London Centre for Nanotechnology - www.london-nano.ucl.ac.uk
· metaFAB - www.metafab.net
· Nanoco Technologies Ltd - www.nanocotechnologies.com
· NanoForce - www.materials.qmul.ac.uk
· NanoSight - www.nanosight.co.uk
· NewChem Technologies Ltd - www.newchemtechnologies.com
· Orla Protein Technologies Ltd - www.orlaproteins.com
· Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology - www.oxford-instruments.com
· Oxonica - www.oxonica.com
· Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd – www.thomas-swan.co.uk

6. The UK Trade & Investment nano tech 2006 press pack contains case studies from Thomas Swan, a manufacturer of single wall nanotubes for use in print, paper, energy storage and electronics; and Oxonica, the leading European nanomaterials group.

7. UK nanotechnology is a driving force for high-technology manufacturing and both the Government and industry have been working hard with the UK's research institutes to ensure they create the best possible opportunities for the application of this technology. The global market for nanotechnology is forecast to exceed $1,000 billion within the decade.

For further information on UK Trade & Investment, please contact Clare Hinkley on +44 (0)20 7839 4321 or Ann Peebles on +44 (0)20 7215 8697

For further information on the MNT Network, contact Sarah Charlesworth on +44 (0)20 8840 0040 or Jason Wiggins on + 44 (0)7855 262 765