Around £3million will be invested into the Knowledge Gateway at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus when a hi-tech company moves on site later this year.

Bowater Holographics Limited hope to create up to six jobs in the town in the second half of 2014 with the potential for more.

As part of the investment, the company will create a new building at Parkside Office Village, to be called Bowater House, which will be used as a manufacturing base.

Bowater Holographics is a world leader in the mass production of holograms for product and identity security.

It hopes to build a long-term relationship with Colchester and the university by including a number of internships and scholarships through the Bowater Foundation.

Founder James BV Bowater said: “With world-class technology that has global applications in everything from security to renewable energies, establishing a strong relationship with the University of Essex is important to us, as is building up a manufacturing facility in the Colchester area.”

University of Essex registrar Bryn Morris said: “We want the Knowledge Gateway to be a home for innovative businesses like Bowater so we can support the drive for economic growth in the region.

“Parkside Office Village offers us the chance to forge strong connections with ambitious businesses and I am delighted to welcome Bowater to our university community.”

Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council cabinet member for economic growth and infrastructure, said: “This is splendid news that the first business has been signed up for Parkside.

“Essex County Council and the university have worked together to push Parkside because it will make a substantial contribution to the economic growth of north-east Essex.”

Anne Turrell, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration at Colchester Borough Council, said: “This is great news for Colchester at a very important time in our regeneration of the borough.”