Insider Media Limited

Two East Midlands companies have secured European grant funding to carry out research and development. George Utz, based in Derbyshire, will work alongside Leicester-based New Wave Innovation to continue their 'Safeguard' project.

The undisclosed cash sum will go towards the research and development of a new unit load device (ULD) for the global air cargo supply chain.

Funding was applied for under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the EU’s main instrument for funding research and technological developments in Europe.

There are about one million ULDs around the world, carrying approximately 80 million tonnes of cargo.

The Safeguard technology which is currently under development will focus on the safety and security of the air cargo supply chain The company's behind the project say it will create large economic savings and logistics improvements for airlines.

Carsten Diekmann, general manager at George Utz UK, said: "We are excited to be involved in the development of these containers, as they will have a real impact on how goods are transported across the globe.

"Our involvement in such an important and wide-reaching project demonstrates our high standards of quality and our unrivalled expertise in bespoke materials handling solutions."

Development of the new ULDs will start in October 2011 and will run for 24 months. The first units are expected to be available from 2014.