University of Glasgow to lead first UK sustainable electronics centre
The Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies Centre (REACT) is one of five new centres planned across the UK which will share in the £25m Accelerating the Green Economy programme form UKRI.
Part of the UKRI Building a Green Future strategic theme, the programme aims to accelerate the green economy by supporting research and innovation that unlocks technology essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050. It is one of five UKRI strategic themes aiming to harness the full power of the UK’s research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges.
REACT is the UK’s first sustainable electronics centre. It will drive the transition to net-zero electronics, addressing both the environmental and economic challenges faced by the industry, while promoting the adoption of green technologies through collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.
The University of Glasgow will lead and coordinate the four-year project in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Scotland.
The electronics industry, primarily driven by technical and economic considerations, has led to significant challenges, including large amounts of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), high emissions across the supply chain, and widespread use of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) such as gold, palladium, and indium—materials with limited reserves.
In Scotland, however, the electronics industry is vital to the regional economy with over 130 companies and 10,300 employees contributing to an annual turnover of over £2.8bn, playing a crucial role in fostering productivity and growth. However, as more prominent manufacturers and buyers increasingly demand that suppliers commit to decarbonising their products, alongside growing legislative pressure, it is clear that the industry must adapt.
Professor Jeff Kettle from the University of Glasgow, who will lead and coordinate the REACT Hub, said: “The Centre will unite leading researchers to drive the industry’s transition toward a net-zero economy. Its primary focus will be developing solutions to reduce electronic waste, minimise reliance on critical raw materials (CRMs), and reduce carbon footprints.”
The REACT team brings extensive expertise across various areas, including electronic materials, design, manufacturing, and assembly, environmental impact, supply chain management, and business modelling.
Professor Bing Xu of Heriot-Watt University said: “REACT will leverage its partnerships to translate research into practical applications, boosting both the region’s and the UK’s global competitiveness in the sector.”
REACT will collaborate with SMEs in the region to develop demonstrators and market-led solutions and provide skills training.
Professor Jason Love of the University of Edinburgh said: “REACT will bring together industrial partners as well as the supply chain of companies and proactively communicate to the wider public, driving change at a governmental level.”
The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Scotland will also work on the project, providing access to cutting-edge equipment and world-class expertise to support start-ups, SMEs, large organisations, and academia in advancing compound semiconductor technology integration.
REACT will offer key benefits to the electronics industry by adopting greener manufacturing processes, including reductions in e-waste, improved energy efficiency, and cost savings. Additionally, REACT will play a crucial role in fostering public-private partnerships to drive these innovations, focusing on co-creation, outreach, and advocacy.
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