Sheffield Metallurgical & Engineering Association (SMEA)

Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Sheffield and online

This is the second lecture in our 2024/5 program and could hardly be more topical given recent announcements. The talk will be given by Dr Lucy Smith from the Material Processing Institute and is titled: Accelerating Innovation in the UK Foundation Industries

The Foundation Industries (FIs) metals, glass, ceramics, cement, chemicals, and paper are vital to the UK manufacturing and construction sectors. Together, these industries employ over 250,000 people, generate turnover of more than £67 billion annually, yet contribute 10% of the UK CO2 output annually. As approximately 75% of the materials we see around us have been made by one of these six industries, and will continue to be required by society past 2050, the goal to achieve net-zero in the next 25 years is critical.

Despite the clear importance of these industries, the UK FIs are less innovative than in other competitive countries; over a third of businesses have not introduced new innovation in the last three years; smaller businesses are less likely to be innovative than larger companies; and there is hesitancy around innovation adoption.

Start-ups and spin-outs are leading the way in innovation for the FIs in the UK, but do not have the support they need to move through to commercialisation. This lecture will outline the barriers and enablers to accelerating innovation in the UK FIs including regulation, intellectual property, investment, and many more.Venue Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield



Start Time: 18:15

. Tea and coffee will be served from 18:00. The lecture can be heard in person or online using get following Zoom link:

ID: 827 8390 7857

Password: SMEA1894

Non-members are welcome to attend

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