By David Duffy A revolutionary scientific development could lead to the creation of 100 new jobs in Oxfordshire.

A Banbury firm has won the licence to use a process, which puts a super-hard surface called Keronite on to lightweight materials, for the motorsport industry.

A new plant is being installed in a 24,000 sq ft purpose-built technology centre for Crompton Technology Group (CTG) in Thorpe Way.

CTG was founded by three former executives of the racing engineering division of Harwell-based AEA Technology - Scott Roberts, Roger Davidson and Mike Dewhirst - when they took over components maker and plastics moulding firm Crompton Plastics last year. The group has since expanded with the launch of Crompton Surface Coatings. Mr Dewhirst, CTG's sales and marketing director, said Russian scientists working at Moscow State University laid the foundations for Keronite technology.

Dr Alexander Shatrov and Dr Pavel Shaskov, who were involved in the original research, are working closely with CTG's technical director Dr Roger Davidson to develop the technology. Mr Dewhirst said: "Keronite offers a superior coating for all light alloys. The surface treatment developed by the business will have a major impact on the automotive, aerospace, textile and performance engineering sectors because it can be applied to aluminium, magnesium and other light alloys such as titanium.

"It will be of considerable interest to the motorsport industry, which is particularly well represented in this area.

"There are obvious advantages to using Keronite on major components such as engines and gearboxes in terms of improved performance and wear resistance.

"However, we are also discovering a host of new applications.

"Demand for Keronite will see the immediate creation of several new jobs and up to 100 in time. We see the winning of the licence as a breakthrough, not only for the company, but also in terms of job creation for the area."