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Catapult Network

Catapulting growth in 2023 and beyond

In the face of many challenges – changing customer desires, cost pressures, supply chain disruption, expected regulatory changes and fierce competition – UK innovation is on the rise. This article showcases how Catapults helped to deliver great results for business and industry in 2023; it summarises our predictions for technology-driven advances in 2024 and the years ahead.

High Value Manufacturing

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UK needs bold and ambitious industrial strategy

Katherine Bennett, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, has welcomed the launch of the government’s new industrial strategy saying it must be ‘bold and ambitious’. Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, have published a green paper to kickstart delivery of the industrial strategy, the first in seven years. The key sectors the government will focus on are: advanced manufacturing; clean energy industries, creative industries; defence; digital and technologies; financial services; life sciences; and professional and business services.

High Value Manufacturing

UK needs bold and ambitious industrial strategy

Katherine Bennett, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, has welcomed the launch of the government’s new industrial strategy saying it must be ‘bold and ambitious’. Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, have published a green paper to kickstart delivery of the industrial strategy, the first in seven years. The key sectors the government will focus on are: advanced manufacturing; clean energy industries, creative industries; defence; digital and technologies; financial services; life sciences; and professional and business services.

Offshore Renewable Energy

A whale

New report sets out a route to transform environmental consenting in UK offshore wind

A report published today by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult lays out a new approach to environmental monitoring and consenting within the UK offshore wind sector. With the UK Government looking to radically increasing offshore wind deployment, there is a clear need for changes to the environmental consenting process. It can currently take several years for appropriate environmental assessments of potential offshore wind farms to be carried out. This, in turn, leads to delays in consenting which present a potential barrier to the scale and pace of development needed for the UK to meet ambitious offshore wind targets and Net Zero ambitions.

Compound Semiconductor Applications

Engineering the future: skills event spotligihts compound semiconductor careers in South Wales

Last week, over 30 students and teachers from South Wales attended a careers forum at Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, to learn about the wide range of career opportunities in the region. At the forum, speakers from IQE, KLA, Vishay and Microchip introduced the technology each company develop and its role in the compound semiconductor supply chain.

Cell and Gene Therapy

Cell and gene therapy industry continues to expand manufacturing infrastructure in the UK

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organisation committed to the advancement of cell and gene therapies has released its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Report 2024. It highlights continued growth in manufacturing infrastructure for advanced therapies, with 32 MHRA-licensed GMP manufacturing facilities in the UK, an increase from 28 last year.

Satellite Applications

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New Space Enterprise Lab opens at Queen’s AMIC Harbour

Our Northern Ireland Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) was launched at Queen’s University Belfast’s AMIC Harbour site providing users with access to the latest collaborative technology, resources and expertise – the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s UK wide network. This new addition ensures that technology and support are accessible to innovators and businesses based in Northern Ireland and connected to our other SELs nationwide. This expansion marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation and collaboration using space data and technology, powered locally through the longstanding commitment of the Northern Ireland Space Office.

Connected Places

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£1.2m to boost rural transport in the UK

Eight projects awarded £150,000 each to better connect rural communities. Winning projects include digital tools that support patients and staff to travel to NHS hospitals. Funding will enhance travel for rural residents, while delivering greener transport technologies.

Connected Places

£1.2m to boost rural transport in the UK

Eight projects awarded £150,000 each to better connect rural communities. Winning projects include digital tools that support patients and staff to travel to NHS hospitals. Funding will enhance travel for rural residents, while delivering greener transport technologies.

Medicines Discovery

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Global AMR Challenge Receives a £5m Boost to Drive Diagnostics Innovation

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) has today launched its second funding round with up to £5 million available to support cutting-edge diagnostic projects. This funding is part of a broader £30 million investment to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Medicines Discovery

Global AMR Challenge Receives a £5m Boost to Drive Diagnostics Innovation

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) has today launched its second funding round with up to £5 million available to support cutting-edge diagnostic projects. This funding is part of a broader £30 million investment to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

eHGV charger connections guide released by eFREIGHT 2030 to accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure

The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium – committed to driving the UK’s transition to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) – has released its latest guidance – the eHGV Charger Connections Guide. Aimed at eHGV fleet owners, this comprehensive guide aims to demystify the complexities surrounding the connection of electric HGV (eHGV) chargers to the UK’s electricity network, offering vital insights into the necessary steps, costs, and challenges involved.

Digital Catapult set to ‘light up’ deep tech innovation in Northern Ireland

Applications are open for an initiative designed to accelerate the practical application of deep tech across Northern Ireland’s growing industries. Digital Catapult’s three-month Technology Access Programme will connect local businesses to state-of-the-art photonics and future network technologies to drive efficient manufacturing processes and explore commercial applications of new solutions, as part of the Smart Nano NI consortium.

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