Future Proofing Britains Steel and Metals Industry

Steps forward in the creation of a 21^st century steel industry in Wales and the UK were celebrated with the launch of the new Steel and Metals Institute (SaMI) at Swansea University.

Opened by First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones on February 8, the new Institute is set to be a world leading research and innovation centre working alongside industry and other UK and global centres of excellence to drive innovation in products and performance, fit for future use. With its long history of steel and metals research and its proximity to primary steel making in Port Talbot, Swansea University is the natural home for innovation in the steel and metals industry.

Mr Bimlendra Jha, Chief Executive Officer Tata Steel UK and Professor Richard B Davies, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University accompanied the First Minister at the launch.

Ernst Hoogenes (Tata Steel Europe Head of R&D), Steve Jones (Operations Director - ‎Celsa Manufacturing) and Martin Brunnock (Research, Development and Technical Director Tata Steel UK) also supported the event along representatives from Industry, Academia, SMEs, Community Union, Government and SaMI staff.

Professor Davies said: “Steel is a foundation industry supporting strategic advanced manufacturing and construction supply chains. A thriving steel industry is critical to a thriving manufacturing base in Wales and the UK. Research and innovation is propelling steel to become a great industry of the 21^stCentury delivering new products, high levels of performance and recycling possibilities.

“Swansea University has always been at the forefront of innovation in the metals industry. That remains the case today. We have a wealth of expertise and talent and a rich network of partnerships within the industry. We are passionate about working with industry and research partners to build a successful and sustainable steel future through innovation excellence and a pipeline of talented people.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones commented: “The Welsh Government is a tireless supporter of the Welsh steel industry and I am delighted we are investing over £2 million in this ground breaking new facility.

“The institute is a clear signal that Welsh steel is not an industry of the past - it is an industry of the future. Increasing research and development in the steel sector will help build the industry’s capability and competitiveness and address future challenges.

“I look forward to the institute working with businesses, universities, colleges and alongside us in Government to drive innovation and help secure a sustainable future for our steel industry.”

Bimlendra Jha, CEO Tata Steel UK added: “Swansea University, together with the University of Warwick, is part of our two hub strategy for collaborative research and development with universities. Integrating this new facility at Swansea with our existing network of researchers at different universities in the UK is a stepping stone to our win-win approach to innovation. Researchers get real world problems to solve and Tata Steel brings its expertise and resources to give wings to innovative ideas.”

SaMI is the forerunner to the UK National Steel Innovation Centre (UK-NSIC) which will be funded through the Swansea Bay Region City deal and is due to be operational by 2020. It is an open access innovation facility providing research and innovation from a temporary location at the Universities Singleton campus.

It was created through the strategic long term partnership between Tata Steel and the university, which is providing the company with research and innovation services on a long term contract. Tata has donated a wide range of research equipment to the University and is providing 45 industry R&D staff to work alongside 20 new University research staff. Tata has also committed annual funding to contribute to the running of the Institute.

SaMI is equipped to enable companies to make advances in alloy and process development, mechanical testing and material characterisation and will rapidly expand its areas of focus into the development of disruptive process technologies, circular economies and industrial symbiosis, zero-carbon steel making, product development and Industry 4.0.

The centre will work with Cambridge, CRM, Imperial, Warwick and Sheffield Universities, as well as the Catapult centres and Cardiff and University of South Wales in Wales.

The open access approach of the Institute will provide Research and Innovation services for: Celsa Steel, Calsonic – Kansei, Crown Packaging, Darlow Lloyd, Gestamp-Tallent, Harsco, Sandvik Osprey, Royal Mint, Tata Steel, Tarmac Lafarge, Timet, Vale and Wallcolmonoy, Weartech, who have all pledged support, whilst others are in dialogue.