Our strategic partner, ScotChem, is inviting innovative businesses to participate in a new series of National Materials Innovation Programme (NMIP) steering groups to help shape the future of materials innovation in the UK.
The NMIP is part of the National Materials Innovation Strategy, developed by the UK Government in collaboration with industry and led by the Henry Royce Institute. The strategy underpins the UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and is backed by £66 million of funding.
Through these steering groups, businesses can play a direct role in influencing how materials innovation programmes are designed and delivered. The groups will report directly to the Materials Innovation Leadership Group (MILG), which in turn reports to the Minister for Science, making it a rare opportunity to not only help shape UK policy, but also become a leading voice by representing the industry.
Call for steering group members
The NMIP steering groups cover eight key themes where materials and process innovation can drive economic growth, including:
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u003cliu003eEnergy solutions (nuclear, batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen, energy harvesting)u003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFuture healthu003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eStructural applications (low-carbon construction, composites, metallics and ceramics)u003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eAdvanced surface technologiesu003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eNext-generation electronics, communications and quantum computingu003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eSustainable consumer products and packagingu003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eMaterials 4.0u003cbru003eu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eSustainability, resilience and circularityu003c/liu003e
Each steering group will:
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u003cliu003eReview priorities identified in the national strategyu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eAssess the readiness of key technologiesu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eRecommend programmes to deliver agreed prioritiesu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eMonitor the progress of programmes during deliveryu003c/liu003e
The administration and logistics will be managed by ScotChem, with the intention of minimising the time needed from steering group members. Alongside document reviews, there is expected to be a maximum of one two-hour online workshop by March 2026, when activities will be reviewed.
Leyton UK is proud to support materials and manufacturing innovation
We’re delighted to be supporting this initiative. ScotChem does a fantastic job of bringing academia, industry, and government together on projects that help address critical challenges and drive innovation. Materials innovation is vital for developing cleaner, more resilient, and more scalable solutions to meet our economic and societal needs.
We know that many of our clients are at the forefront of developing scientific and technological breakthroughs in both materials and manufacturing, so we’re keen for their views to be heard in this important discussion.
How to take part
If you’re interested in serving on one of the steering groups, please email ScotChem’s Communications Officer, Dr Suzanne Halden, for more information.