Government invests £20m in manufacturing innovation

The government is giving manufacturing companies £20 million for them to develop innovative technologies, products and systems.

The money is to ensure that the UK succeeds in key areas such as aerospace, healthcare, energy and recycling, said Ian Pearson, the Minister for Science and Innovation.

Companies had to fill out applications for support and those that fit government criteria have been selected for government funding. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is to invest £19 million in the projects while the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will support four of the projects with a £1 million investment.

The TSB is a body established by the government to support innovation in technology.

Chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board Iain Gray said: "These successful projects reflect the changing nature of manufacturing and we are investing in the UK to enable it to maintain its place as one of the world's leading manufacturing locations."

Research and development will now go ahead in areas such as carbon neutral construction projects and mouldable auto parts from sustainable resources.