Southam-based Silson (www.silson.com) is expanding after securing support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking and the University of Warwick Science Park.

A £373,000 funding package from Lloyds Bank has helped director Peter Anastasi to buy new premises at Insight Park and purchasea specialist electron-beam deposition tool.

This investment was also supported by a £35,000 grant from the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Ready programme. Silson sells its ultra-thin membranes to customers in 35 countries, which include research institutes working with X-ray and electron beam technology.

The new machinery is expected to boost the company’s turnover by adding X-ray filters to its range of products.

Mr Anastasi said: “Our products are unbelievably thin membranes — around 100 nanometres thick. They are made like small windows that allow light to pass through, and that makes them ideal for the use in X-ray and e-beam research. It’s a very niche market.”