Commercialising advanced materials
Advanced materials are rapidly developing and the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability can be a support network.
Industry and academia are exploring innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of the materials industry, while focusing production on longevity, efficiency and resilience.
But despite the significant advancements in sustainable materials over the past 20-30 years, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK continue to face barriers to adoption, including access to research, facilities and networks, due to decades of underinvestment.
To support scaling and commercialisation, while reshoring UK supply chains, a coordinated, large-scale approach is required instead of small, scattered projects. To enable this to happen, the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) has been launched in Greater Manchester.
Funded by Innovate UK’s Innovation Accelerator, the centre connects industry and academia, driving competitiveness through access to research, R&D facilities and funding opportunities.
Serving as a central hub, CEAMS actively works towards sustainability and net-zero targets through advancements in materials with the support of its partners, including Rochdale Development Agency, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the University of Manchester’s Henry Royce Institute, and members of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (CPI) – the National Composites Centre (NCC), the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
It is a part of Greater Manchester’s ‘Atom Valley’ – an advanced manufacturing hub that exists across Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, expanding upon the rich material history of the region.
The Atom Valley is a Mayoral Development Zone, strongly supported by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. It harnesses the vast and diverse innovation ecosystem across Greater Manchester, encompassing numerous businesses and top universities.
This includes the University of Manchester, where carbon-fibre composite research was spearheaded in the 1970s, and, morerecently, where the advanced material graphene was first isolated.
Manchester is also striving to become carbon neutral by 2038 – 12 years ahead of the UK’s target of 2050. Such ambitions, coupled with extensive research capabilities, solidify Manchester as a strategic location for a centre like CEAMS to ensure materials science research is effectively translated to industry.
CEAMS’ partners help companies design products and materials with their entire lifecycle in mind, including disposal and recycling, minimising waste and environmental impact.
For instance, Cygnet Texkimp is working with NCC, NPL and the Henry Royce Institute to develop quality assurance methods for recycled, continuous, carbon-fibre tows for hydrogen pressure vessels, commonly used in the energy and automotive sectors.
The collaboration aims to advance the expanding hydrogen sector by integrating circularity solutions into new products. This involves using composite storage tanks from the supply chain to develop solutions at full product scale.
Initiatives like this help keep high-value materials in the supply chain for longer, offsetting the demand for virgin materials and reducing the energy required for products that use the recycled material.
But for industry to adopt these technologies, having access to the correct data – on quality, performance, CO2 emissions and costs – is vital. Cygnet Texkimp can then demonstrate the feasibility of products, attracting investment and encouraging adoption.
Support from CEAMS de-risks operations, saving money and resources while creating significant investment opportunities in Greater Manchester. This will benefit apprentices, graduates and current workers to create a conducive environment for companies to thrive and contribute to economic growth.
As a consortium, CEAMS can engage businesses with diverse priorities at every stage of development.
For example, CEAMS partner, CPI, catalyses advanced technologies and manufacturing solutions, including scaling biotechnology products and processes.
A company that wants to investigate a novel approach to a specific recycling problem, such as using biotechnology and enzymes to recycle tyres, can get support from CPI to refine the strain and enzyme technology, ultimately scaling up the entire chemical process.
The Henry Royce Institute, meanwhile, focuses on a variety of research areas, including 2D materials, advanced metals processing, chemical materials design and materials for demanding environments. Sitting within these are cutting-edge facilities and expertise, known as the Royce Technology Platforms.
Businesses use the core capabilities at Royce to overcome the unique technical challenges posed by materials for sustainable applications. Royce supports on R&D requirements, including designing innovative plastic recycling processes or conducting measurements with advanced equipment to validate products.
Ultimately, CEAMS aims to establish a collective knowledge base using the capabilities of its partner network, creating a supportive environment of continuous learning and adaptation for SMEs to reach their sustainability goals.
On a national scale, this will develop more efficient supply chains and help the UK elevate the sustainability of its manufacturing sector, boosting the economy as a result and ensuring Greater Manchester remains a beacon of UK innovation in advanced sustainable materials.
