Greater Manchester advanced manufacturing cluster to partner with national robotics hub

An advanced manufacturing cluster being developed in Greater Manchester has announced it will be a partner on a national robotics, automation and smart manufacturing research hub.

Led by the University of Birmingham and part of UK Research and Innovation’s ‘Manufacturing research hubs for a sustainable future’ programme, the hub has received £11 million from EPSRC and in funding over the next 7 years. Rochdale Development Agency will be the lead partner in the programme for Atom Valley in the North-east of the city-region.

The Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, covering parts of the boroughs of Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, is being brought forward using similar devolved powers to those delivering thousands of new homes in the Stockport Town Centre West regeneration area. It is part of a plan to create a world class cluster of advanced materials and manufacturing with the potential to create around 20,000 new, high-quality jobs in the city-region, 1.6 million square metres of employment space, and associated transport infrastructure.

Atom Valley’s partnership with the national research hub programme hopes to support the transition to a circular manufacturing ecosystem.

The hub will be named the EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Robotics, Automation & Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing & Materials (RESCu-M²) and will focus on two grand challenges: transforming the sustainable use of critical materials, and improving the productivity of ‘Re-X’ manufacturing processes.

So-called Re-X processes include reuse, repurpose, repair, remanufacture and recycle. These processes are currently much more labour-intensive than traditional manufacturing, resulting in many materials being disposed of via landfill or incineration. However businesses could save up to £23 billion per year by making low- or no- cost improvements. 

Charlotte Deane, EPSRC Executive Chair Professor, said:

“Given the scale and importance of the UK’s manufacturing sector we must ensure that it is able to benefit fully from advances made across the research and innovation ecosystem.

“With their focus on innovation and sustainability the advances made by the hubs will benefit specific sectors, the wider manufacturing sector and economy, as well the environment.”

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council, added:

“With Atom Valley being a spoke in this programme over the next 7 years, we look forward to working with partners in this programme to create a more sustainable, competitive, inclusive, and resilient local economy.”