9 January 2025
by Hassan Akhtar AIMMM

UK's National Materials Innovation Strategy launched

More than 2,000 experts in materials science, engineering, innovation, policy, and industry were consulted to develop the strategy.

© Henry Royce

The strategy’s aim is to speed up development cycles and breakthrough siloes in the UK’s material sector.

Facilitated by The Henry Royce Institute, it argues that without adopting a clear strategy for materials, the UK will not be able to meet its net-zero and wider sustainability goals.

Starting immediately, the Materials Innovation Leadership Group will oversee its delivery.

Projections from the report say an active commitment to materials innovation could double the number of materials-specific jobs by 2035 – up to 52,000 – adding £4.4bln in gross value to the UK economy. Six areas of opportunity are identified for this to happen:

  • Energy solutions - efficient and sustainable energy generation, storage, transmission and use to meet net-zero. ‘Rising to the net-zero challenge’
  • Future healthcare - delivering beyond biocompatibility for active medical solutions.
  • Structural innovations - strengthening our infrastructure, built environment and transport systems.
  • Advanced surface technologies - enhancing product functionality, performance, and lifetime.
  • Next generation electronics, telecommunications and sensors - driving the future of high-performance connectivity and computing.
  • Consumer products, packaging and specialist polymers - paving the way for a greener tomorrow.

Two major cross-cutting areas are also highlighted - the digital revolution (i.e. Materials 4.0) and sustainability.

The need for a more collaborative approach is also articulated in the report, with CEO of the Henry Royce Institute, Professor David Knowles FIMMM, saying the strategy will ‘realise the true potential of materials innovation in the UK’.

Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM, says ‘IOM3 welcomes publication of the National Materials Innovation Strategy – this is a significant milestone in fostering a more coordinated and coherent approach to materials, and an important step towards a comprehensive UK Materials Strategy.

‘A clear and strategic approach to materials and minerals is essential for the nation’s health, security and competitiveness, as well to reach net-zero. As set out in our recent letters to Secretaries of State, joint statement and IOM3 policy priorities for government, this is vital for the UK’s economic, social and environmental development.

‘IOM3 looks forward to building on its contributions to the Strategy’s development and advancing the coordinated approach to materials leadership needed to secure a resilient and sustainable future for the UK.’

Authors

Hassan Akhtar AIMMM