Research and innovation in advanced manufacturing and the development of sustainable materials in Greater Manchester will be accelerated through a new Innovation Centre.
With access to world-class university expertise, research and facilities, businesses in the region will have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge, create job opportunities, build skills, and rapidly innovate sustainable products and services.
This will be made possible by the launch of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMMIC) at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The centre brings together a range of business support services at the university including additive manufacturing at one the UK’s biggest technology hubs PrintCity, and expertise in surface engineering, green energy, metamaterials, nanotechnology and digitalisation.
It will also be supported by the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Met, which is led by a team of experts transforming research into practical solutions for businesses.
AMMIC is open to businesses in the manufacturing and materials sector who are seeking to accelerate their research and innovation activities.
Through a fully funded programme of support, university experts will support businesses in cutting edge research, problem development, market-led innovation and prototyping, while providing access to Manchester Met’s facilities and technology.
Professor Nick Brook, pro-vice chancellor for research at Manchester Met, said: “The launch of AMMIC brings together our global expertise in manufacturing, advanced materials and sustainability, and opens up our fully funded support to the region’s businesses.
“With the government investing heavily in the manufacturing sector, AMMIC will see the University and industry coming together to accelerate the growth in this area through our research strengths to drive this key area of the Greater Manchester economy.”
AMMIC is funded through the GMCA’s Investment Zone programme, which is providing £160 million in public funding over 10 years to support the growth of the advanced materials and manufacturing sector.
At an official launch event, held on Wednesday at Manchester Met, 90 guests from industry and funding bodies across Greater Manchester joined university experts to explore the ways AMMIC will support the region.
Carl Ennis, CEO of Siemens in the UK and Ireland, said: “The UK needs to deploy technology quicker than ever to address challenges like productivity and decarbonisation.
“We can’t afford to lag global peers, especially as the pace of technological innovation accelerates through the adoption of AI, Machine Learning, Big Data and Automation. AMMIC provides a great launchpad for research and innovation to support businesses as they strive to make better use of technology.”
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “Encouraging more innovation is key to growing Greater Manchester’s economy. We are proud to be backing AMMIC through Greater Manchester’s Investment Zone, which is building on our strengths in the advanced materials and manufacturing sector through by funding a wide range of projects.
“Manchester Met is home to some fantastic research and innovation facilities. AMMIC will serve as an important link between these assets and our business community, helping companies in the materials and manufacturing sector develop better products and services.”
AMMIC will see a significant investment in new state of the art equipment for the region as well as a route for businesses to access funding towards research and development projects and PhD programmes.
The part-funded PhD projects will provide high quality, collaborative research aimed towards specific challenge areas, ultimately leading to new skills in industry and academic publications.
Image (from left): Professor Jennie Shorley, professor Peter Kelly and Professor Carl Diver at AMMIC
