Manufacturing
The UK is one of the largest global manufacturing countries; this sector is vital for our economic productivity and growth. Innovate UK helps manufacturers to innovate and innovators to manufacture. We work across technologies connecting you to partners, experts, facilities and funding, working with businesses at all stages from start-up to scale up.
Manufacturing is critical for the UK’s economy. The sector employs millions of people, is responsible for nearly half the country’s exports, contributes billions to the UK’s bottom line and is a major player in research and development. Covering diverse sectors from automotive to aerospace, pharmaceuticals to plastics and food and drink to foundation industries, manufacturing is mission critical for our economy and society.
The sector faces radical changes with the drive towards net zero, the importance of supply chain resilience and new technologies like digital and AI. Decarbonising manufacturing is fundamental if we are to meet our net zero targets and adopting and integrating innovative technologies is crucial. Securing the future of manufacturing is critical for the UK and innovation is the route to secure that future. Read more about the materials and manufacturing sectors over the next 30 years, challenges and opportunities likely to face key sectors of the economy by 2050 and the steps we may need to take together to ensure the UK prospers from these changes.
Explore the pages below to find out how Innovate UK can help your manufacturing business scale up, connect with businesses in a different UK region or exploit international opportunities. Find out how you can adopt innovation and become more sustainable and resilient. We’ve got programmes covering plastic packaging, foundation industries like glass and metals and supply chains for rare earth materials. Join one of our communities focusing on medicines manufacturing or climate change and connect with our team of experts.
Manufacturing at Innovate UK
Driving the Electric Revolution
Enabling electrification across multiple sectors and aiming to ensure the UK leads the world in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives.
Transforming Foundation Industries
Developing technology to reduce energy and resource use in the UK’s foundation industries: cement, metals, glass, paper, ceramics, chemicals.
Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging
Developing more sustainable plastic packaging materials and designs and enabling new recycling processes.
Made Smarter Innovation Network
Developing digital technologies and joining communities to transform manufacturing into a more flexible, productive and sustainable sector.
Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing
Helping businesses transform to a resource efficient future.
Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture
Helping businesses address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.
Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains Programme
Supporting the development of resilient UK-based supply chains for rare earth elements.
Transforming Medicines Manufacturing
A network to support and grow the UK’s capabilities in manufacturing medicines by developing first-of-a-kind technologies.
Climate Change Adaptation Innovation Network
A collaborative community supporting businesses to innovate to overcome the challenges of climate change, focusing on cooling, water and biodiversity.
UK-Nigeria Circular Fashion Global Innovation Network
Fostering relationships and opportunities in Nigeria and the UK, focusing on textile manufacturing, recycling and materials.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Working with businesses to improve sustainability and resilience, reduce carbon and find new uses for waste to contribute to a more circular economy.
Hydrogen Innovation Network
Connecting stakeholders across the Hydrogen supply chain helping to identify opportunities.
Reimagining materials and manufacturing together
Now is the time to reimagine manufacturing together. The UK has clear potential to become a world-class destination of choice for advanced low-carbon manufacturing.
Read more
Support for scaling
Business Growth is a key part of Innovate UK’s investment in the pioneering businesses that drive economic growth. It’s available to all high potential small to medium sized innovation-driven companies.
Explore
Connecting places
Right technology, right place, right time. We support local innovation strengths and clusters and connect local to national to deliver economic growth across the UK.
ExploreOur international work
Bringing UK innovation to the rest of the world and having an international perspective on challenges. Horizon Europe, Global Expert Missions, Global Alliance Africa all create global opportunities for UK companies.
Explore
Accelerating commercialisation
Innovate UK’s Catapult Network supports businesses in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services. A network of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres, including the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Catapults drive the commercialisation and adoption of innovation, accelerating business growth and maximising productivity.
ExploreInnovate UK and Make UK Meet the Buyer
Innovate UK and Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, have teamed up to pool their expertise and their contacts. They are working together to connect innovative UK SMEs with leading UK manufacturers, giving OEMs access to ground breaking technologies with relevance to their businesses.
Explore
Related Manufacturing Content
Opportunities
The latest funding opportunities from Innovate UK and other funders.
Explore
Events
Our events are designed for you to make new connections and drive new opportunities.
Explore
Case studies
Discover stories of how our involvement is increasing investment in innovation leading to positive change.
Explore
News
Explore the latest manufacturing news from Innovate UK.
Explore
Our Manufacturing Experts
Innovation is complex and our Industrial Technology and Manufacturing team is on hand to offer experienced input to help drive positive change. The team can connect you to other areas within Innovate UK and more widely to opportunities and our network of businesses, academics and funders.
Explore