'We could lead the.

Byline: Andrew Mernin

IT HAS been billed as a milestone in the advancement of electronics technology but it could also prove a major turning point for the region's economic fortunes.

As the North East's burgeoning printable electronics sector landed a pounds 20m cash boost from the Government yesterday, the man who will decide how the money is spent spoke of a revolution happening on our doorstep. Petec's director Tom Taylor said: "What we are seeing is like in the 1960s when people were just starting to assemble microchips.

"It's going to go everywhere. This technology is going to grow very rapidly and the UK could be up there with the Germans, US and Korea."

If Mr Taylor's words ring true, the coming years could see the North East pull back the title of the world's most successful manufacturing sector from Asia where lower operating costs have worked in its favour in the last 20 years.

Mass-manufacturing could return, although in a very different form from traditional assembly which once flourished across the North East. But what exactly will we be making? Printable electronics could have implications which affect all aspects of our lives.

Imagine reading The Journal on a single plastic sheet which can be rolled up and put in your top pocket - this could be achieved with a little help from Petec. Wafer-thin display screens are already in the market and efforts are underway to produce them on elasticated material.

The technology could also be a major draw for private sector investors in the design world. New-age intelligent packaging and clothing which harness organic solid state lighting could become the norm. More importantly this form of lighting, which could also be used to illuminate the inside of vehicles, is far more energy efficient and sustainable than current mainstream technology.

Meanwhile, Petec's work with photovoltaic cell technology could have a huge impact on people's lives in the developing world.

Solar energy, easily harvested during the day, could be used to light homes in the evening and into the night. Other applications exist in the healthcare, retail and aerospace sectors.

As Petec continues to explore the many avenues that lay before it, it will use Government funding to invest in 500m sq of hi-tech equipment to develop pilot projects.

The centre will look to connect innovators in research with commercial activity using proof of concept devices and pilot scale manufacture.

It will encourage the growth of the industry and new inward investment into the region through North East firms already involved in the exciting sector. It may be some time before the region's forward-thinkers are truly tapping into an industry which is forecast to be worth pounds 125bn by 2025. However, we are making great strides to make sure we are in the leading pack when the printable electronics revolution is televised on a paper-thin screen in the years to come.

"The ongoing development of Petec and the supply chain around it will also, it is hoped, make a significant contribution to future-proofing the Great British economy.

As Sarah Green, regional director of the CBI in the North East said: "Investing in these technologies now will give the UK a competitive edge, and create an important market for high value exports in the future."

CAPTION(S):

CLOSE-UP Martin Walkinshaw, of Petec parent firm CPI, with display samples of electroluminesence.