National semiconductor delegation visits NETPark during NEAME regional tour
NETPark welcomed representatives from leading UK semiconductor and innovation organisations as part of a three-day regional tour organised by North East Advanced Material Electronics (NEAME).
The delegation included representatives from Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK Business Connect and the UK Semiconductor Centre.
The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about the North East’s advanced electronics and semiconductor capabilities and meet companies and researchers developing technology at NETPark.
Bringing national partners to the North East
Delegates taking part in the tour included representatives from Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, the Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre, UK Research and Innovation, UK Business Connect and the UK Semiconductor Centre.
The programme began at NETPark with meetings of the NEAME Board and regional cluster, bringing together organisations involved in developing the North East’s advanced materials and electronics sector.
Exploring technology developed at NETPark
During the NETPark leg of the regional tour, the delegation visited Filtronic, aXenic and Orbit Enterprise Hub.
Filtronic designs and manufactures RF, microwave and millimetre-wave technology for telecommunications, space, defence and critical communications. The visit gave delegates an insight into the company’s capabilities and continued expansion at NETPark.
At aXenic, the group learned about the company’s work in semiconductor design, development and manufacturing. Its optical modulator technology supports communications and sensing applications, including satellite and aerospace communications.
The delegation also visited Orbit Enterprise Hub, home to Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation. The centre develops optical instruments, imaging systems and related technologies for astronomy, space science and other specialist applications. Orbit connects academic research with industry and provides a base for technology development and commercialisation.
Together, the visits demonstrated how NETPark brings companies, university researchers and specialist facilities together in one location.
Showcasing regional semiconductor capabilities
The wider NEAME tour also included visits to Viper RF, Pragmatic Semiconductor, Nascent Semiconductor and Newcastle University’s Great North NanoFab.
By connecting national semiconductor organisations with businesses, researchers and facilities across the North East, the programme provided a clearer view of the region’s capabilities and the opportunities for future collaboration.
The visit also highlighted NETPark’s role as a base for companies working across semiconductor technologies, photonics, advanced communications, instrumentation and electronics manufacturing.
