£30 Million Innovation Funding Boost to Rochdale based CEAMS Partnership

Posted by on 14 Apr 2025

Innovate UK has announced an additional £30 million in funding to extend its highly successful Innovation Accelerator (IA) pilot programme through to 2026—further strengthening the UK’s global position in research and development. Among the pioneering projects continuing under this investment is the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS), based in Atom Valley Rochdale a dynamic collaboration driving sustainable industrial innovation.

CEAMS brings together leading institutions including the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) funded by Rochdale Borough Council, Centre for Process Innovation(CPI), the Henry Royce Institute, Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC), the National Composites Centre (NCC), the National Physical Laboratory, and the University of Manchester.

This national partnership is designed to help UK businesses:
• Commercialise sustainable materials
• Develop innovative solutions to make their existing materials more sustainable

CEAMS acts as a vital bridge between academic research, industrial application, and commercial scale-up—supporting companies to overcome complex challenges, adopt and invent new materials, and contribute to a greener economy.

As part of the broader Innovation Accelerator programme, CEAMS is helping Greater Manchester—and the UK as a whole—cement its role as a global leader in materials science and sustainability. The IA initiative focuses on locally-led innovation to accelerate economic development in three priority regions: Glasgow City Region, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader Rochdale Borough Council Said:
“The additional funding from UKTI for CEAMS in Atom Valley is a significant boost for Rochdale’s position in advanced materials innovation. This investment not only acknowledges the groundbreaking work already underway but also paves the way for further advancements that will benefit our community and the broader industry.”

Councillor Daniel Meredith, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing at Rochdale Borough Council added:
“This additional investment is a huge vote of confidence in Rochdale and in the transformative potential of CEAMS. It recognises the critical role our borough is playing in shaping a greener, more innovative industrial future—not just for Greater Manchester, but for the entire UK. Through CEAMS, we’re helping local businesses lead the way in sustainable materials and we are opening up new opportunities for jobs, skills, and growth right here in Atom Valley, Rochdale.”

This latest £30 million investment builds on an initial £100 million already invested into the IA programme. Co-designed with city regions, the initiative has unlocked new technologies, attracted private sector investment, and sustained high-value jobs across multiple sectors.

With 26 regional projects now underway, Innovate UK and local partners are committed to advancing the UK’s innovation landscape and creating real-world impact through industrial transformation.

For Further Information on CEAMS please visit the website HERE