Firm SEEDS set to begin production in County Durham

SEEDS will move into a dedicated facility at NETPark as part of Durham County Council’s £100 million expansion of the site.

The move will allow the company to shift from research and development to manufacturing—and begin delivering customer-specific systems.

Jason Chehal, founder of SEEDS, said: “This expansion marks a defining moment for SEEDS, as we move from research excellence into full commercial deployment.

“Over the past decade, we’ve developed a way to engineer graphene not just as a material, but as a platform technology that can be tuned to solve real-world industrial challenges at scale.

“Moving into our new facility at NETPark allows us to begin delivering customer specific systems across industries including microelectronics, energy storage, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

“What’s particularly powerful is the ecosystem we’re part of here.

“Collaborations with CPI, Mitsui, and Pragmatic Semiconductor demonstrate how innovation in County Durham can translate directly into global industrial impact.

“We are now at the point where the technology is proven, the demand is established, and the pathways to market are clear.

“Each production system we deploy has the potential to support a major manufacturer anywhere in the world.

“That positions not only SEEDS, but the North East and the UK, at the forefront of next generation materials and electronics.”

SEEDS will supply its advanced graphene technology to major international manufacturers across the global aerospace, energy, semiconductors, and automotive sectors.

NETPark’s £100 million expansion has enabled the growth of sector-leading companies like SEEDS by providing more than 285,000 square feet of high-specification laboratory and advanced manufacturing space.

Councillor Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “SEEDS’ expansion at NETPark reflects the critical role County Durham plays in the UK’s advanced manufacturing landscape.

“We have outstanding, state-of-the-art space for laboratories and manufacturing facilities, ready now and unique in the North East.

“We are delighted to support SEEDS’ growth and would urge any expanding business looking for purpose-built, modern facilities to come and see the exceptional offer we have here at NETPark.”

With the expanded site now fully operational, it is expected to create 1,250 skilled jobs onsite and contribute £625 million to the local economy over the next decade.

SEEDS’ growth has been supported by NETPark’s collaborative ecosystem, including the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Durham University, and Business Durham.

CPI has worked closely with the company, helping to refine its technology and scale up from early-stage research to production.

A strategic partnership with Mitsui, formalised in November, is already opening doors to international microelectronics manufacturers and accelerating the company’s global reach.

The expansion of NETPark and the success of companies like SEEDS highlight County Durham’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and next-generation technology.