Our unrivalled technical capabilities
HVM Catapult accelerates the creation and adoption of innovative technologies by providing thousands of companies every year access to world-class facilities and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach.
Since being established in 2011, we have invested more than £1bn in a nationwide network of research and development sites and cutting-edge technologies. This gives our centres unrivalled technical capabilities and knowledge to mature technologies, broaden their application and anchor quality products in the UK.
Our priority areas
Additive manufacturing
Manufacturing processes that join materials to make parts from 3D model data, layer upon layer.
Assurance
Processes, practices and technologies used to provide confidence that new and existing manufactured products or systems will meet design requirements, standards, regulations and codes through inspection, measurement
and test.
Biomanufacturing
A process of production which uses both natural and engineered biological systems, such as microorganisms and cell cultures, to produce materials across numerous sectors including industrial biotechnology, materials,
pharmaceuticals and food.
Composites manufacturing
Advanced materials that blend different material types to achieve superior strength, reduced weight and enhanced performance.
Digital manufacturing
The application and development of connected data, automation, digital twins and cyber-physical systems to plan, control and optimise production processes,
improving efficiency, quality, agility and real-time operational performance within factories and supply chains.
Joining engineering
The engineering process of integrating materials into complex structures using chemical, electrical, thermal or mechanical methods to reliably combine similar and dissimilar materials to enhance design freedom, enhance performance, improve sustainability and underpin automation, digital assurance and high-integrity advanced manufacturing.
Near net shape
Forging, forming, casting and powder consolidation technologies that produce complex components close to final shape.
Robotics and automation
The use of robotics, machines and control systems to perform previously manual tasks, improving productivity, quality and safety.
Subtractive manufacturing
Achieving net-shape geometry through controlled material
removal, delivering the strict dimensional precision and
surface integrity required for high-performance applications.
Advanced materials
Engineered substances with enhanced, novel properties that outperform traditional materials in strength, conductivity or durability. Developed through advanced
manufacturing and nanotechnology, they are critical for high-tech applications in industries like aerospace, healthcare, energy and electronics.
Engineering design
Leveraging digital technologies to evolve and transform traditional engineering practices to enhance the structure and management of product development and operational lifecycles. Focusing on model based and data-driven approaches to integrating design, simulation, verification and life cycle management to connect
disciplines, enable traceability and optimise decision making across the entire product and system value chain.