17 Mar 2008
Chemring Group PLC and Cranfield University today signed a
five-year partnership agreement to conduct research and development
in energetic materials to advance the underpinning science base,
develop new products, and enhance the UK skill-base in a field
which is strategically important for UK security and defence.
The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony attended by
Lord Digby Jones, Minister for Trade & Investment who was on a
regional visit to South East. The Minister commented: "This
creative partnership between an internationally successful British
company and a leading university is the type of innovative thinking
which is critical to sustain and develop the competitiveness of UK
business. I am particularly heartened that part of the agreement is
the development of the UK skills base in chemistry, physics and
advanced energetic materials, which will be vital for the long-term
future of the industry."
Dr David Price, Chief Executive of Chemring Group PLC said,
"This partnership is a key element in our strategy to become
the world leader in countermeasures and energetic materials. We
need to continuously develop new technologies and products to
achieve our long-term objectives. Signing the research agreement
with Cranfield is a cornerstone of our long-term strategy to
maintain and develop our skills and competence over the next ten
years."
Under the partnership agreement, Chemring and Cranfield
scientists will work together on a range of projects to improve
product performance, enhance safety, reduce environmental impacts
and facilitate full product life-cycle management from manufacture
to disposal.
In addition to meeting the objectives of Chemring and Cranfield
University, this partnership is also fully aligned with the UK
MoD's Defence Technology Strategy, which identifies energetic
materials as a field where it is critical for the UK to maintain a
core technical capability to underpin operational sovereignty, and
also identifies a risk that the country's energetics
expertise will fall below critical mass.
For further information contact:
Dr David Price
Chief Executive
Chemring Group PLC
Telephone: +44 (0)1489 881880 |
Rupert Pittman
Cardew Group
Telephone: +44 (0) 0207 930 0777 |