High Value Manufacturing Catapult annual review 2021/22

Enabling net zero and sustainability

Glasgow’s hosting of COP26 in 2021 put the UK on the global stage for net zero. This highlighted the importance of decarbonisation to the UK economy as both an environmental measure and an opportunity for leadership.

Our work will help the UK to secure its energy supply with low-carbon, domestic sources such as hydrogen and nuclear, stripping emissions from national energy usage. We will also support the development of common carbon accounting standards, so we can measure our environmental impact not just in UK production, but in all products the UK consumes and uses. We will be helping to decarbonise all parts of the economy, from energy to production and the product lifecycle.

Supply chain transformation and resilience

With recent global supply shocks from changing international trading conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that the UK has a secure supply of essential goods.

With recent global supply shocks from changing international trading conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that the UK has a secure supply of essential goods.
With recent global supply shocks from changing international trading conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that the UK has a secure supply of essential goods.

We will continue to help companies of all sizes to reshore their production and pivot into lower carbon markets, helping their bottom lines and cutting emissions from their supply chains. This is already helping to improve competitiveness of UK companies and national resilience in resources. We will also help create the markets of tomorrow, investing in innovations within the hydrogen, electrification and infrastructure sectors.

Digitalisation of the product lifecycle

From data analytics to artificial intelligence, digital technologies are the key enablers for the emerging markets of tomorrow and the competitiveness of today.

We will continue to enable our customers to improve their performance through smarter data usage, smarter design and networked supply chains. Our work will help companies use data to effectively design products for the full product lifecycle, from production and assembly to reuse and recycling, using sustainable materials and efficient processes. We will also help to develop foundations for widespread digital twin usage, allowing data to lead investment decisions across the sector.

Critical national infrastructure and capability delivery

Our physical and digital environments are the stage on which all economic activity plays, making this the crucial framework for our national success. From gas pipes and building materials to data and energy storage, manufacturing and high value design touch every aspect of our infrastructure.

We will be continuing to introduce new standards and technologies into the construction industry, allowing for public works to be more energy efficient, cost-effective and create fewer emissions. We will continue to anchor emerging markets to UK industrial clusters and lead work in developing the UK’s hydrogen infrastructure, from generation to storage and use, helping to seize the opportunity of global supply.