Element Six will soon open its consolidated synthetic diamond research and development facility at the Global Innovation Center (GIC) at Harwell, near Oxford in the U.K. Opening ceremonies will be conducted by the U.K.'s Science Minister, David Willetts, and De Beers CEO, Philippe Mellier, who also acts as the chairman of Element Six.

Element Six announced the project in May 2012 and it now expects the facility will employ more than 100 scientists and technologists, while it consolidates the company's global innovation teams into one integrated center. The complex will develop a pipeline of innovative synthetic diamond and related supermaterial products for Element Six's customers, in industries from oil and gas drilling to precision machining and electronics.

The GIC was created with support of the government in an effort to foster investment in research and development to advanced manufacturing in the U.K. Element Six identified Harwell, Oxford as the best site for its new center given the proximity to such a prestigious innovative center and scientific brain power.

Willetts said, "The decision by Element Six to site their world class research and development facility in Harwell is a significant vote of confidence in Britain's advanced manufacturing sector. The U.K. is open for business and we warmly welcome inward investment. Advanced manufacturing is seeing significant growth opportunities across all engineering sectors. U.K. Trade & Investment worked closely with Element Six on this project which will further position the U.K. and the Oxford region as an ideal location for future investment."

Walter Huehn, Element Six's CEO, said, "Our new state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center will consolidate and strengthen our innovation capability. For the first time in the global synthetic diamond industry, we can partner with customers to rapidly design, manufacture and test market-ready solutions all under 'one roof.' Quite simply the GIC puts Element Six at the forefront of diamond technology."