How CATAPULT is Impacting UK Innovation

It’s no secret that the UK manufacturing industry has faced its fair share of challenges. As the longest standing manufacturing hub in the world, we’ve been forced to adapt and embrace innovation time and time again. That’s why at KTR, we make a conscious effort to be a part of the next wave by investing in research and development right here in the UK. While we are involved with a number of projects, today we are spotlighting the incredible impact that CATAPULT centres have had on innovation in the UK. What is CATAPULT? Catapult is “a network of world-leading centres designed to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in specific areas and help drive future economic growth”. The network is comprised of a series of not-for-profit centres wherein top UK scientists, engineers, and businesses are able to collaborate on research and development projects. The Catapult programme was created to foster technological innovation by joining communities that would otherwise never be in the same room. Yet beyond innovation, these collaborations also serve to help businesses who lack resources, expertise, or equipment bring their innovative ideas to fruition. In Catapult’s words, they exist to: reduce the risk of innovation accelerate the pace of business development create sustainable jobs and growth develop the UK’s skills and knowledge base and its global competitiveness Catapult bridges a long-standing gap and unites UK businesses with world-classic research communities. As a result of these new partnerships, ideas that were once unattainable have become a reality with far-reaching benefits for the several UK industries. In less than five years of operation, Catapult centres have: Facilitated 1131 Academic Collaborations and 4091 Industry Collaborations Supported 5912 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Opened (and currently operate) £968M of open access research and demonstration facilities for the benefit of academia and technological industries. While these collaborations have tremendously benefitted the UK and continue to support local businesses in accessing global markets, they’ve also attracted global investments, which further facilitates the collaboration between bright minds, cutting-edge technology, and ambitious organisations. Each Catapult branch listed below specializes in a different technological area and all are equipped with the facilities and researchers required to develop new products/services. Each centre offers invaluable resources for UK businesses who need a fresh set of eyes to solve a complex problem, require a more efficient manufacturing process, or need help preparing for the future. Cell and Gene Therapy Compound Semiconductor Application Connected Places Catapult Digital Energy Systems Future Cities High Value Manufacturing Medicines Discovery Offshore Renewable Energy Satellite Applications Transport Systems Earlier this year, we explored the High Value Manufacturing branch AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre) in Rotherham. In the coming months, we will spend time profiling many of the other Catapult centres in order to highlight their incredible contributions. We hope you’ll join us for the ride.

For more information on How CATAPULT is Impacting UK Innovation talk to KTR U.K. Ltd