Investment Attraction
Invest in Manchester
Full Credential Description
The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) is being developed in Atom Valley, a key initiative involving the University of Manchester, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The SMMC aims to address the niche issue of advancing sustainable manufacturing innovation in the region. The partnership leverages the University of Manchester's research capabilities through its innovation unit, Unit M, alongside the RDA's local economic development expertise.
To support this initiative, GMCA has allocated £10 million from the Investment Zone grant funding to establish the SMMC as a hub for translational research programs. This facility will provide advanced laboratories, digitalization suites, design studios, and collaborative spaces specifically focused on sustainable materials and industrial digitalization. The SMMC builds on the success of the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS), which has already showcased the region's potential for industrial innovation and public-private collaboration.
The SMMC is projected to open in 2027 and is expected to play a crucial role in the broader Atom Valley initiative, which aims to deliver 17 million square feet of employment space and create up to 20,000 high-quality jobs. This development is positioned as a catalyst for establishing an advanced materials cluster, enhancing the region's innovation ecosystem, and promoting inclusive growth by attracting investment and creating job opportunities for local communities.