NCC backs U.K. Industrial Strategy for industry innovation scale-up – CompositesWorld

Report on the UK Industrial Strategy and the Role of the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction to the UK Industrial Strategy

The UK government’s Industrial Strategy identifies key sectors with the highest growth potential for the economy and business. These sectors include:

1. Advanced manufacturing
2. Aerospace
3. Clean energy
4. Defense
5. Digital technologies

The strategy emphasizes scaling up research and development (R&D) in composites, supporting government-backed centers such as the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Expansion and Innovation at the National Composites Centre

Richard Oldfield, CEO of NCC, highlights the centre’s expanding capabilities aimed at delivering greater national impact. Key focus areas include:

• Development of future materials, products, and processes to secure UK technology leadership in next-generation aircraft platforms (supporting SDG 9 and SDG 13 – Climate Action)
• Anchoring future industries to support the UK’s energy transition (supporting SDG 7 and SDG 13)
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Alliance, reinforcing NCC’s role as a centre of excellence for defense innovation (supporting SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Technological Advancements and Regional Development

The NCC is enhancing its expertise in advanced materials, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI). Notable developments include:

• Hosting the UK’s fastest supercomputer, Isambard AI, to accelerate innovation (supporting SDG 9 and SDG 4 – Quality Education)
• Establishment of the UK’s open-access Carbon Fibre Development Facility in the North West, fostering a chemical and materials cluster (supporting SDG 9 and SDG 8)
• Supporting the West of England’s leadership in advanced engineering, with over two-thirds of SMEs engaged by NCC located in this region (supporting SDG 8 and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Government and Academic Support for Sustainable Economic Growth

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasizes the Industrial Strategy as a transformative approach to the UK economy, focusing on:

• Backing leading sectors
• Removing barriers to growth
• Building a stronger economy that benefits working people (supporting SDG 8 and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities)

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, underscores the critical role of universities in delivering the Industrial Strategy. Collaboration with industry partners and innovation centers like NCC is pivotal to boosting growth across priority sectors (supporting SDG 4 and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals).

Conclusion

The UK Industrial Strategy, supported by the National Composites Centre’s advancements in technology and innovation, is strategically aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. This alignment ensures that economic growth is coupled with sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion, positioning the UK as a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy sectors.

Related Content

• 
  ASCEND program completion: Transforming the U.K.’s high-rate composites manufacturing capability
  

  Highlights progress in high-rate production, Industry 4.0, and sustainable composites manufacturing, involving partners such as GKN Aerospace and McLaren Automotive.

• 
  How AI is improving composites operations and factory sustainability
  

  Discusses how Industry 4.0 advancements enhance operational resilience and sustainability in composites manufacturing.

• 
  Plant tour: Sekisui Aerospace, Orange City, Iowa, Renton and Sumner, Wash., U.S.
  

  Explores innovation culture and digitization efforts to expand thermoplastic serial production and diversify markets.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article focuses on advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and digital technologies, highlighting innovation and infrastructure development.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Reference to supporting the U.K.’s energy transition and clean energy sectors.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Emphasis on economic growth through industrial strategy, supporting SMEs, and creating jobs in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Collaboration with universities and education institutions to boost industrial growth and innovation.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Focus on sustainable composites manufacturing and Industry 4.0 advancements that improve factory sustainability.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Support for energy transition and clean energy sectors contributes to climate action goals.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including advanced manufacturing and aerospace.
   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and raise industry’s share of employment and GDP.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and entrepreneurship.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
   • Indicator 9.2.2: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita.
2. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
   • Indicator 7.a.1: International financial flows to clean energy research and development.
3. SDG 8 Indicators
   • Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment.
4. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training.
5. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.
6. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: compositesworld.com