Plasma Clean technology is pure genius
8th January 2010
Plasma Clean Limited, a hi-tech spin-out from The University of Manchester has been awarded a £112,829 Grant for Research and Development from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
Based in the Stockport Business Incubator, Plasma Clean specialises in odour control and air purification solutions utilising non-thermal plasma technology.
Grant for Research and Development, is part of Solutions for Business, the Government’s package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow.
The Grant helps entrepreneurs and business owners introduce innovative products and processes, including research trials and product testing. Grant for Research and Development is designed specifically to support innovative projects that have a solid commercial potential.
The Grant for Research and Development will allow Plasma Clean to complete the development of its non-thermal plasma system. The technology, aimed at Ultra Pure Gas applications in the manufacture of semi-conductors, flat-panel displays and solar cells, and any other ultra high purity gas application, has already generated significant interest from the UK and abroad.
The work will build on the NWDA research project completed in October 2008, which helped the business to deliver a unique power supply system capable of producing a highly active plasma discharge using lower power.
The Plasma Clean system, known as Plasma UPG, will eventually be licensed to commercial partners across the world, seeking low power solutions to meet the ever demanding need to enhance process gas purity.
Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development, NWDA said:
“Innovation is critical to the economic development of the region; ensuring vital sectors remain productive. The NWDA plays an important role ensuring businesses within the Northwest are able to retain a competitive edge, leading the way in research and development,”
David Glover, Managing Director of Plasma Clean said:
“Receiving this award is a great boost for Plasma Clean and will help to deliver a unique product offering which will present significant benefits to our customers worldwide.
We have already had significant interest from some of the major players in the air purification industry, seeking a product which will offer competitive advantage in terms of performance and running costs”
“We have been working with Plasma Clean for over 3 years through the North West Business Investment Scheme. I am delighted their hard work and innovation has been recognised, enabling them to take their developments of the UPG plasma technology to the next level on an international scale. There is a huge market for Plasma Clean’s technology and this grant will help them further establish themselves as pioneers in the air purification field.” Says Doug Stellman, NWBIS, YFM Private Equity
The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these financially challenging times. To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to – www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness
For more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
For more information on Finance for Business please visit www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk
