A new £8.9 million Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is to be built in Renfrew near Glasgow.

The facility will be developed on the former Doosan Babcock site in Westway

Speaking at the AFRC today, 19 June, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland will support highly skilled jobs and boost Scotland to the forefront of lightweight manufacturing.

In addition, it will equip manufacturers to compete in future international markets, as well as supporting the transformation of Scotland's manufacturing industry in terms of innovation and digital opportunities.

The facility will be operated by the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) in Inchinnan, with funding consisting of £2.9m from the Scottish Government, £3.4m from Scottish Enterprise and £1.6m from the Advanced Forming Research Centre.

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Ms Sturgeon said: "A vibrant and innovative manufacturing base is critical to Scotland's economic success and to creating skilled employment opportunities for the future.

"The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre will help Scottish businesses take advantage of the fact that sectors such as aerospace and the automotive industry are making more and more use of lightweight materials. It will deliver cutting edge research and development projects with and for companies in Scotland."

Andrew Colquhoun, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Doosan Babcock, said: "Doosan Babcock welcomes the Scottish Government's initiative to bring high-quality manufacturing jobs to Scotland. The investment to expand the capabilities of the AFRC with this new Lightweight Manufacturing Centre will help transform the manufacturing industry, keeping Scotland at the forefront of innovation and engineering excellence."

Scottish Enterprise managing director of strategy and sectors, Linda Hanna, said: "Manufacturing in Scotland plays a vital role in the success of our economy. As such, we need to ensure it is equipped to respond to the changing global environment, remains focussed on innovation and continues to attract international investment.

"The establishment of this new Lightweight Manufacturing Centre will do exactly that to help key industries in Scotland like Aerospace, as well as many others, maximise opportunities from light weight materials to open up new markets, reduce costs and emissions."

(LM/MH)