North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has announced a new multi-million-pound innovation programme, which brings together world-class university research and leading innovators, driving regional growth through cutting edge science and research.
The region’s first four projects will receive a share of £23.7m in funding from the government's Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), unlocking an additional £55m of private investment.
The programme is expected to boost innovation in the North East, delivering hundreds of high value jobs, new facilities, benefits to the wider supply chain and major economic growth.
The announcement comes as Innovate UK, part of UKRI hosts its Innovation Forum: North East in Newcastle, bringing together regional leaders, businesses and investors to discuss how innovation can accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities across the region.
Projects include:
- North East Centre for Accelerating the Green Economy led by Procter and Gamble and working with three NE Universities and innovative SMEs from the region, have a portfolio of innovative research projects to accelerate the development of the next generation of clean chemicals.
- North East Vision for High Value Materials Innovation Acceleration led by CPI will be working with two catapults, the NE's four universities and high growth business across the region spanning several areas of materials innovation including semiconductors, battery systems and low carbon alternatives to bring their products and services to scale.
- Project Sycamore: Establishing the UK’s First-of-a-Kind Hub for Carbon Negative Advanced materials led by Low Carbon Materials - a spin out from Durham University - will be working on scaling up and diversifying the opportunities for carbon negative additives for use in concrete and asphalt, that will enable us to continue to grow and build, sustainably.
- Centre for Realisation and Advancement of Future Technologies led by Durham University will take the region’s contribution to space and fusion research to the next level, pulling in substantial new private sector partners and funding and accelerating the deployment of next-gen technologies.
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a flagship UK government programme, delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), investing £500m to strengthen regional innovation economies across the country.
The LIPF is a central pillar of the Government’s commitment to achieve growth in every postcode. It brings together local leaders, businesses and research organisations to build on regional strengths to create jobs, drive innovation-led productivity, and attract further public and private investment into communities across the UK.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “The North East is at the forefront of next generation technologies. Our new programme will turbocharge innovation in North East England, boosting investment in research and development, and accelerating the delivery of our Local Growth Plan.
“This programme brings together our world-class universities with some of our most innovative, cutting-edge businesses, collaboration that will deliver hundreds of good-quality jobs for local people, major private sector investment to benefit our region’s economy, around 90 new products to market and wider benefits including new facilities and growth across the supply chain. This is great news for innovation in the region.”
UKRI’s Chief Executive Professor Ian Chapman, said: “These projects in North East England are all excellent examples of what can be achieved when world-leading researchers, innovative businesses and regional partners come together around a shared ambition.
"Building on local strengths and previous UKRI investment, they will create high-quality jobs, attract investment and deliver tangible benefits for people and communities across the region.
"Through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, UKRI is supporting partnerships across the UK to build on their distinctive strengths, translating innovation into impact that advances knowledge, improves lives and drives growth."
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council and North East Mayoral Strategic Authority cabinet member for Home to a Growing and Vibrant Economy, said: “Our region has always been at the forefront of innovation, and these first four projects highlight the cutting-edge work taking place, focusing on clean technology and sustainability.
“Just as important, they are creating high-quality jobs and providing a major boost both to the region’s economy and our reputation as a place to set up and do business.”
Dr Phil Souter, Senior Director from Procter & Gamble, said: "Innovation is at the heart of how P&G delivers superior products for consumers, and partnerships play a critical role in enabling that innovation. Through NE-CAGE (Centre for Accelerating the Green Economy), we look forward to working with universities and SMEs across the North East to advance the next generation of sustainable materials and products, advanced measurement capabilities and future talent. Together, we can help unlock new scientific discoveries, support economic growth and reinforce the North East's position as a leading hub for research and innovation."
Frank Millar, CEO of CPI, said: “The North East has an exceptional combination of scientific expertise, innovative businesses and world-class innovation assets. Through NOVA, we’re proud to bring those strengths together and connect with the national materials innovation network, helping businesses scale and commercialise new technologies in areas including advanced materials, semiconductors and batteries. This partnership will enable private investment, increase resilience in regional supply chains and ensure innovation translates into lasting economic impact, creating high-value opportunities across the region.”
Dr. Natasha Boulding, CEO & Co-founder, Low Carbon Materials, said: “Through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and Project Sycamore, we will accelerate the development, scaling, and commercial deployment of our advanced materials to decarbonise and improve our built environment. With this continued support, we can bridge the gap between world-class research and commercial application, scaling our operations to drive regional economic growth, create high-value green jobs, and reinforce the North East’s position as a leader in innovation.”
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “Durham University is pioneering new technological development to drive growth and prosperity in North East England. CRAFT will turn promising research into practical products, services, and applications, and Low Carbon Materials’ continued success is further evidence of the lasting benefit to North East England of Durham University research and commercialisation.”
Further projects are expected to join the programme later this year.