Six vie for £160m Glasgow City investment zone funding
Six projects have been shortlisted for investment in a £160m (€185m) regional investment zone in Glasgow, Scotland.
The projects range from a spacecraft manufacturing and test centre, where the city is Europe’s leading provider, to advanced packaging for silicon and photonics chip, including the National Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging (NCASP).
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is working with the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSAC) in Wales, Sivers Photonics and packaging expert Alter Technology. This aims to create the national centre for manufacturing scale up of advanced semiconductor devices such as photonics and power electronics. It consists of open access capital equipment and an industry-led development programme.
This comes as CSAC is also convening a National Semiconductor Centre for the UK as part of the government’s industrial strategy.
Magnetic sensor packaging line
Local sensor developer Neuranics is also working with Kelvin Nanotechnology (KNT) and the University of Glasgow to establish an advanced semiconductor manufacturing capability in Glasgow. This would create a state-of-the-art nanofabrication centre, enabling full fabrication of magnetic sensors in the UK, reducing reliance on overseas facilities and strengthening domestic supply chains.
The facility will be the first in the UK dedicated to full end-to-end magnetic sensor fabrication and assembly, supported by advanced tools including one of only two Ion Beam Etch systems in the UK. The project would enable faster product development and secure local ownership of high-value IP strengthen UK supply chains,
Neuranics’ TMR sensors detect minute magnetic fields from the human body, enabling next-generation wearables, gesture interfaces and health monitoring tools. Bringing production to Glasgow will position the region as a world leader in magnetic sensor technology.
“We are delighted to have been shortlisted as part of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone,” said Noel McKenna, CEO of Neuranics. “This project will be a catalyst for economic growth, driving innovation in bio-signal monitoring and giving other companies and researchers access to world-class infrastructure, right here in Scotland.”
The University of Glasgow is also leading a Laser Supply Chain and Advanced Packaging project.
Space systems
The University of Strathclyde is leading the development of a Platform for Scaling Responsive Space Systems Research, Innovation & Manufacturing (PRISM) in a £100m bid with AAC Clydespace, SaxaVord Space Port, Spire, Orbex, Skyrora and BAE Systems. it also includes Benchmark Space, Leonardo, Spirit Aerosystems, AWE, NMIS, The National Robotarium, Satellite Applications Catapult, Tweed Property, Space Forge, Simera Sense, Xona Space, Amentum, ADS, and Space Scotland.
The project has £33.2 million funding with £67 million co-investment from industry to accelerate the design, build, test, manufacture and deployment of space technologies. This aims to reduce businesses’ barriers to collaborating with key end customers, including large primes and government agencies. This will provide easier access to secure infrastructure, specialised equipment and facilities needed to scale the development and launch of cutting-edge space technologies, reducing capital investment requirements.
Meanwhile for space systems, Skyrora is leading the Spacecraft Manufacturing and Testing Centre to enhance UK launch capabilities by developing orbital and sub-orbital launch vehicles.
The sixth project covers the Maritime Supply Chain Innovation at the Scottish Marine Technology Park, led by Strathclyde, to convert a brownfield site in Old Kilpatrick.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
