Manufacturing

Innovate UK KTN’s Manufacturing team helps manufacturers to innovate, and innovators to manufacture. We work with a broad spectrum of organisations, sectors and technology areas, advising on innovation and connecting to partners, experts, facilities and funding.

Digital manufacturing brings together new technologies such as AI, IIOT, additive manufacturing, robotics and automation, blockchain and immersive technologies. We are working with smart factories to drive improved productivity, efficiency, resilience and competitiveness. Together with Robotics & AI, Immerse UK and others we can make the right connections to cutting edge technology and knowledge, through Manufacturing Made Smarter on an impartial basis.

Product Innovation requires careful navigation of the design to manufacture journey. Successfully delivering a physical product to market (i.e one that requires manufacturing) presents challenges over and above those that non-manufactured products face. As well as technical knowledge and diversity of skills, expertise and strong relationships are key to driving change. We can share learning across our network and through our D2MGuide, and make the connections you’ll need to deliver on your innovation.

Sustainable, resilient manufacturing. The world is changing. Manufacturers are improving the products they make and the way they make them. This reduces our environmental footprint, increases resource efficiency and creates competitive advantage. Energy efficiency, circular economy, remanufacturing and industrial symbiosis are all areas we specialise in as a team.

We help manufacturers and innovators to improve their processes across all these areas by making impartial connections, across the UK and globally, with the right partners, suppliers and funding channels including Innovate UK and other funding sources.

Our current focus in this area

Advancement in additive manufacturing technologies has seen the evolution of 3D printed parts move rapidly, providing the opportunity for new innovation within the manufacturing world. As companies can now design for additive manufacturing to complement traditional manufacturing processes, there has been a huge shift in its use, particularly within aerospace, medical, transport, energy and consumer products.

Digital manufacturing promises improved productivity, sustainability, resilience and the creation of high value jobs. The industrial digital technology (IDT) innovator seeking to make an impact in the physical world stands to benefit from the transformation of UK manufacturing.

Turning an idea into a scalable, commercial product is a challenge that faces many entrepreneurs, innovators and SMEs. Developing a new product, new functionality or new customer experience can be difficult and success may not always happen. 97% of hardware startups fail (compared with 70% of tech start-ups).

The world is changing at an ever greater pace, and manufacturers are responding – improving the products they make and the way they make them. This enables reduced environmental footprint and improved resource efficiency, but also creates benefits such as competitive advantage and a closer alignment with the customer’s needs.

Related Opportunities

Improving and Scaling-up Semiconductor Manufacturing – CR&D

Opens: 04/12/2023 Closes: 31/01/2024

UK businesses can apply for up to £12m for collaborative R&D to improve and scale up semiconductor manufacture and supply-chain resilience.

More Information

Launchpad: bio-based manufacturing in Scotland

Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 13/12/2023

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for business led projects in the bio-based manufacturing innovation cluster in Scotland.

More Information

Launchpad: net zero industry, South West Wales

Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 13/12/2023

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2 million for projects in the net zero industrial cluster in South West Wales.

More Information

Launchpad: digital technologies, North East England

Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 13/12/2023

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for business led projects in the digital technologies cluster in North East England.

More Information

Design Foundations: Repairability

Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 10/01/2024

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for people centred and systemic design projects to inform and de-risk future R&D activity.

More Information

Unlock Funding for Digital Supply Chain Innovation

Opens: 20/11/2023 Closes: 07/12/2023

The Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub seeks companies interested in developing and deploying digital technology in their testbeds.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
23
Jan
2024

Materials for Future Economy Workshop Series

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Register for this event
Wed
22
Nov
2023

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund Phase 2 - Technology Showcase

10.00 - 15.00 | Manchester

Recording coming soon
See all events

Our Experts

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Smart Factory Expo 2023: putting manufacturing at the heart of the future

Smart Factory Expo is an industry leading manufacturing exhibition showcasing the latest digital innovations in technology, processes and thinking beyond Industry 4.0.

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Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing feasibility study competition winners announced

12/07/2023

Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing feasibility study competition winners announced

This month Innovate UK announced the 20 participants selected to take part in the Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM) feasibility study competition.

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Programmes related to Manufacturing

Transforming Medicines Manufacturing

Transforming Medicines Manufacturing

Innovate UK’s Medicines Manufacturing programmes aim to drive the de-risking and adoption of highly innovative flexible, agile and scalable manufacturing technologies through a culture of collaboration that will drive the growth of this critically important manufacturing sector.

Made Smarter | Innovation Network

Made Smarter | Innovation Network

From 2021 to 2025, Innovate UK KTN will be working on behalf of UKRI to join communities together to transform UK manufacturing. Join the Made Smarter Innovation Network and help us drive positive change.

For general enquiries regarding our Manufacturing sector contact us now

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