CDT Congratulates LEP Joint Venture Partner on Opening
 of European R&D Facility
CDT today congratulated Seiko-Epson on the opening of its first European research and development facility in Cambridge, UK. The new facility is set to strengthen the relationship and pace of technical development between the two companies in the area of CDT's light emitting plastic (LEP).

CDT and Seiko-Epson are collaborating in a joint development agreement with the aim of producing televisions and computer monitors based on LEP. The two companies showed a 2 in. monochrome display in February 1998 and expect to show a full sized display soon.

Speaking at the formal opening of the new research facility at Trinity College, University of Cambridge on 28 October 1998, Lord Young of Graffham, chairman of CDT, said that Seiko-Epson's investment in Cambridge demonstrated the close working relationship between the two companies, which is set to revolutionise the future of the displays industry.

"The light emitting plastic technology being developed in Cambridge, which was invented by CDT, has fantastic potential. Seiko-Epson's recognition of this brings us both a major step closer to delivering full colour displays with dramatically enhanced performance in the very near future", said Lord Young.

Danny Chapchal, chief executive officer (CEO) of CDT added that the two companies had significantly reduced the time to market of LEP by sharing intellectual property and manufacturing expertise. CDT is contributing its LEP expertise to the joint development, while Seiko-Epson bring its ink-jet and active matrix know-how.

"Without companies like CDT and Seiko-Epson being prepared to effectively take risks on each other, the pace of technical innovation would be a lot slower and the global potential of many of Cambridge's best ideas would never see the light of day", said Chapchal.

Lord Young added,

"We take it as the highest compliment that Seiko-Epson has chosen Cambridge as the location for its first European research facility. This reflects not only the qualities that Cambridge possesses but, through the growing relationship with CDT, also recognises the power of entrepreneurial spirit in this town".