The funding was announced as part of a wider £1 billion investment in British innovation, announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond. The money will help expand successful ‘catapult centres’ which are fuelling innovation across the country as part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
The £96 million share for Scotland will go to the University of Strathclyde’s AFRC, which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
Strathclyde is also a partner of three other centres, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the Satellite Applications Catapult.
Principal Professor Jim McDonald said: “We are proud of our work with business and industry; work which accelerates the development of new technologies, creates jobs, and provides education and training for future leaders. The strategic collaborations we have established with industry and our public sector partners are helping to establish Scotland as an international leader in key manufacturing technologies.
“The catapult centres offer world-class facilities and expertise to help businesses become more innovative and grow. I’m delighted that today’s funding will enable us to further this work, supporting more businesses to compete on the world stage.”
Professor Keith Ridgway CBE, AFRC executive chair, said: “We warmly welcome this news. For a number of years the Advanced Forming Research Centre has been at the heart of manufacturing research and development in Scotland, turning innovative technologies into commercial reality and making manufacturing businesses, of all sizes from across the sector, more competitive in a global market.
“The funding announcement by the UK Government means we can continue to build on our capabilities.”
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