The High Value Manufacturing Catapult has published its annual review, capturing the impact of its work to lead a green manufacturing revolution and support the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual report includes summaries of dozens of projects from across the Catapult’s network of seven specialist centres. Success stories from the Nuclear AMRC include:
- Developing new low-carbon reactors as part of the UK SMR consortium.
- Working with UKAEA on materials and modular construction for fusion reactors.
- Demonstrating single-platform manufacturing techniques for large nuclear components.
- Supporting regional manufacturers from Nuclear AMRC Midlands in Derby.
- Anchoring the innovation cluster at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.
- Helping companies enter new markets with F4N and F4OR.
The report highlights the HVM Catapult’s capacity to respond to a crisis, as demonstrated by its leading role in the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium. CEO Dick Elsy co-ordinated an industrial consortium which has now delivered around 13,400 ventilators, more than doubling the stock available to the NHS.
The report also illustrates how the HVM Catapult is responding to other challenges facing the UK. Last year, the UK committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report shows how the HVM Catapult is already supporting this ambition, enabling innovation in transport, energy generation and manufacturing processes to drive down emissions and deliver economic impact.
“As the most significant advanced manufacturing research body in Europe, we are determined to use our position to help industry to get back on its feet after the Covid-19 crisis and, importantly, keep the torch lit for innovation,” says Elsy. “This will be crucial to our competitiveness as all nations fight to return to a new normal.
“We will also use this opportunity to show leadership in driving progress towards achieving net zero by 2050. I know that the manufacturing community can deliver for the planet in a similar way it delivered for the country in its time of need. The High Value Manufacturing Catapult will step forward to play a full part in the UK’s economic resurgence.”
