Where Science and Technology Businesses Grow
Join a thriving community of innovative businesses with specialist laboratories, manufacturing space, world-class research and the connections to develop, scale and commercialise new technologies.
Science, technology and manufacturing at NETPark
At NETPark, you join more than 40 companies and 1,000 people in our science and technology community in County Durham. You will be alongside businesses working across advanced electronics and materials, space, defence and security, and life sciences, with many developing technologies that cross traditional sector boundaries.
You have access to laboratories, cleanrooms, offices and production space, alongside expertise from CPI and Durham University. Two national Catapult centres and three national innovation centres are based at NETPark, covering printable electronics, formulations and healthcare photonics.
Advanced electronics and materials
At NETPark, you can develop semiconductors, photonics, sensors, flexible electronics, radio-frequency technology and advanced materials for applications across communications, healthcare, manufacturing, defence and space.
You can access CPI’s National Printable Electronics Centre and Durham University expertise in photonics, instrumentation, engineering and advanced materials. These connections can help you develop, test and scale technologies closer to commercial manufacture.
Defence and security technology
You can access specialist facilities at NETPark for developing radar, resilient communications, threat-detection systems, sensors, semiconductors, secure digital technology and space-surveillance services.
Access to our UK-based laboratories, cleanrooms and production space can help you retain specialist skills, intellectual property and manufacturing knowledge. It also supports sovereign defence capability by strengthening domestic supply chains for strategically important technologies.
Space technology and satellite communications
At NETPark, you will be alongside space businesses working across satellite communications, space surveillance, instrumentation, photonics, advanced electronics, materials and space data.
Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, the Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence and the Space Enterprise Lab are based on campus. Together, they connect you with research expertise, technical facilities and opportunities across the UK space sector.
Life sciences and healthcare technology
At NETPark, you can work in biotechnology, diagnostics, drug discovery, pharmaceutical development, medical devices and preclinical research.
You can use serviced laboratories and cleanroom facilities for product development, testing and regulated manufacturing. You can also access Durham University research and CPI facilities covering healthcare photonics and formulations, helping you move from scientific discovery towards commercial production.
Science and technology companies at NETPark
The range of work taking place at NETPark is reflected in the companies based here. Filtronic, Pragmatic Semiconductor, aXenic, Kromek, RED Scientific Replay, REPROCELL Europe, HFR and Magnitude Biosciences work across communications, semiconductors, photonics, defence, space, advanced materials and life sciences.
Many of these technologies cross traditional sector boundaries. Electronics and photonics support communications, defence and healthcare applications, while sensing, materials and data expertise can be applied across both civil and security markets. This gives you opportunities to find related expertise, suppliers, research partners and potential collaborators on the same campus.
Space for science and technology companies to grow
We provide a clear property route from early research to commercial production. You can begin in incubator space within Plexus, move into laboratories and offices in Discovery or Explorer, and progress into larger facilities without leaving the campus.
Our £100 million expansion has added 285,650 sq. ft. across 11 units ranging from 11,500 to 35,700 sq. ft. Delivered as shell space, you can fit out the units as laboratories, cleanrooms, engineering areas or production facilities.
Research, skills and business support
Our Business Durham team can connect you with funding, recruitment support, research partners, sector networks, suppliers and potential collaborators. You can also draw on scientific, engineering and manufacturing skills from universities and colleges across North East England.
Close to the A1(M), you can reach NETPark in around 20 minutes from Durham and Darlington railway stations, 25 minutes from Teesside International Airport and 45 minutes from Newcastle International Airport.
Discover what NETPark could offer your business
To find out how your company would benefit from locating to NETPark please contact Sara Williams, on 01740 625 250 or email sara.williams@durham.gov.uk
