Autumn statement: formulation funding
3 Dec 2014
A new chemical formulation centre at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has been awarded funding by chancellor George Osborne as part of his autumn statement.
The National Formulation Centre, which aims to design new products through combining different gases, solids or liquids, was awarded £28 million by the chancellor.
Based at the CPI in Sedgefield, County Durham, the centre will develop a globally unique capability that will develop and deliver the next generation of formulated products across a wide range of markets, such as food, pharmaceuticals, coatings, oil, lubricants and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).
We can broaden our work with sectors which have hitherto not worked intensely with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, such as food manufacturing
High Value Manufacturing Catapult chief executive Dick Elsy
The CPI is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which itself is part of the UK Government’s Catapult programme to boost new technologies.
In addition to the £28 million for the National Formulation Centre, Osborne awarded the High Value Manufacturing Catapult a further £61 million to increase the range of sectors it works with and to work with more small and medium-sized businesses.
High Value Manufacturing Catapult chief executive Dick Elsy said the funding, which has been made available via Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board) meant that “we can broaden our work with sectors which have hitherto not worked intensely with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, such as food manufacturing”.
Innovate UK chief executive Iain Gray added: “The extra core funding and capital investment announced today by the chancellor for the High Value Manufacturing Catapult is a significant endorsement of the contribution Catapults are making to growth in the UK. As the first Catapult to be established, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult has been successfully running at capacity – the additional core funding will allow it to deepen its engagement with business, particularly small businesses.
“This additional funding, coupled to the establishment of a new National Formulation Centre, will enhance its capacity to be at the forefront of technological innovation and provide the very best facilities and expertise in cutting-edge manufacturing.”
The CPI, of which the National Formulaiton Centre will be a part, is just one of seven research centres that make up the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. The other six centres are: the Advanced Forming Research Centre in Glasgow; the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield; the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Ansty; the National Composite Centre in Bristol; the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield; and the Warwick Manufacturing Group in Coventry.
