Sixteen major new research and development projects that will help to stimulate innovation in the UK's manufacturing sector are to share government funding of over £6.5 million.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board are to provide grant funding to support the development of new technologies that have the potential to underpin new production processes in a wide range of industrial applications and market sectors.
The focus of the R&D will be on production technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques. The projects will also encourage the development of technologies that will facilitate greater environmental sustainability through efficient disposal, recycling or remanufacture of assets at the end of their useful life.
Professor Dave Delpy, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Chief Executive said: "Investment in cutting edge manufacturing research and the translation of that into commercial applications is the key to economic success. EPSRC has a portfolio of 350 live projects and an investment of £380 million in the manufacturing sector.
The UK is not alone in placing increased importance on advanced manufacturing. Funding projects such as these will help maintain our competitiveness against international peers such as the US and Germany."
Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: "The Technology Strategy Board has an important role to play, through funding for such collaborative research and development and our other activities and initiatives, helping UK businesses to accelerate the development of new equipment, processes and expertise brought about by technology innovation. Manufacturing capability is often built on, and strengthened by such new-found technology and this can be a significant driver of economic growth."
The projects will lead to the development of technologies such as:
- An innovative method of controlling and optimising car painting processes;
- Autonomous intelligent machining;
- MIG brazing technology for the manufacture of high strength steel car frames;
- The sustainable and resource efficient cutting of titanium;
- An innovative method of controlling and optimising car painting processes.
The companies leading the projects are: Airbus Operations Ltd, AMRC Manufacturing Ltd, Bluefrog Design Ltd, Colloids Ltd, GKN Aerospace Ltd, Innoval Technology, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd, Renishaw, Technical Solutions 24 Seven Ltd, TeraView Ltd, The Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd, Thompson Friction Welding Ltd, TWI Ltd, Umeco Structural Materials (Derby) Ltd, Unilever and Vibraglaz (UK) Ltd.
Contact details EPSRC Press Office on 01793 444404 or pressoffice@epsrc.ac.uk
Technology Strategy Board's media relations consultant or manager:
Nick Sheppard
Media Relations Consultant
Mobile: 07824 599644, Email: nick.sheppard@tsb.gov.uk
Claire Cunningham
Media Relations Manager
Mobile: 07554 115745 Email: claire.cunningham@tsb.gov.uk.
Notes to editors:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
1. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. www.epsrc.ac.uk
2. The Technology Strategy Board is the UK's innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org.
3. The Technology Strategy Board will provide grant funding of £5.6m while the Engineering and Physical Research Council support, for involvement by academic institutions in five of the projects, will total £934,000. The offer of funding to the projects is conditional and remains subject to the successful completion of Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC compliance and financial review processes.
4. For further information about the Boosting Innovation in Manufacturing Competencies competition for collaborative R&D funding please visit: BIMC competition