Innovate UK has announced that the first projects supported by the National Materials Innovation Programme will receive £2 million in funding. This programme, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan within the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, aims to translate the UK's materials capability into practical applications.
The investment is intended to help businesses evaluate the technical and commercial viability of their innovations and gather evidence for future development. Materials are described as fundamental to technologies, products, and industries that drive economic growth and improve daily life.
The National Materials Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), seeks to accelerate the journey from discovery to commercial adoption by connecting businesses, researchers, investors, and end users. Projects will assess ideas across six high-growth themes identified in the National Materials Innovation Strategy, alongside a focus on metamaterials and metasurfaces.
Specific projects include M-Spin, which will explore a new high-performance material for more efficient and affordable green hydrogen production. Bounce-Biomedical will investigate a new biodegradable implant designed to aid recovery from serious knee injuries, potentially reducing the need for knee replacements.
Bruce Adderley, Director of Advanced Manufacturing at Innovate UK, stated that advanced materials are crucial for future economic growth, strengthening resilience, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy.