WMG News - Latest news from WMG
WMG Professor awarded the prestigious Leslie Holliday Prize
Congratulations to Ton Peijs, Professor of Polymer Engineering and Head of the Centre for Polymers and Composites (CPC) at WMG, University of Warwick, who has won this year’s esteemed Leslie Holliday PrizeLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.
Awarded by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, the prize recognises significant or technological contributions to composite materials and is one of the most illustrious prizes in the field.
New Industrial Strategy welcomed by experts
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) recognised as focus for battery innovation to improve UK economic resilience
Experts at the University of Warwick welcome the government’s new Industrial Strategy, announced today.
“The industrial strategy will be welcomed our partners in manufacturing,” said Greg Clark, Executive Chair of Warwick Innovation District*. “In having the confidence to choose particular sectors in which to invest over the long-term, the strategy sets out a roadmap that will secure the future of industries vital to the UK economy. We look forward to playing our part, here at the University of Warwick, in supporting its successful implementation.”
WMG drives green growth with new £13m EPSRC research hub
From developing greener materials and processes to growing more sustainable supply chains, a new £13.6 million research hub, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will help researchers at WMG at the University of Warwick, tackle some of the UK’s biggest manufacturing challenges.
The new Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics (SEP) will be led by WMG’s Professor of Polymer Processes, Ton Peijs.
Researchers from WMG will work, over the next 7 years, alongside the University of Manchester and UCL to improve the way durable plastics – commonly used in cars, buildings, and electronics – are created, reused, and recycled. Researchers aim to reduce waste, support greener manufacturing practices, and advance the circular economy, with support from over 60 industry partners, including JLR, Polestar, Siemens, BEKO, Bellway, and Biffa, to turn research into real-world solutions.
Female apprentices recognised at Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars awards
Congratulations to a group of female engineering students who have been named as finalists at the Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars awards.
There was a total of seven WMG Degree Apprenticeship students, recognised in the Apprentice category, with six employed by JLR and one from Bentley.
Three of the students, Erin Purewal; Amy Flavell and Keishe Gopikrishna, are studying on the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions (DTSLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window) programme.
A further four, Alexandra Spurway, Beth Daniel, Charlotte Bradford and Emily Ruscoe, are studying on the BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme (APEPLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window) programme.
Accelerating EV transition
Representatives from WMG were pleased to share their expertise at a two-day workshop in Indonesia, addressing the country’s key challenges in adopting electric vehicles.
The workshop, entitled “Sustainable Transportation: Policy Recommendations for the Acceleration of Electric Vehicles Adoption Addressing Environmental and Societal Challenges,” explored opportunities for collaboration between the UK and Indonesia in developing policies and technologies for sustainable transportation.
Key discussion points included mapping stakeholder needs, analysing policy gaps, sharing international best practices, and drafting policy recommendations for a sustainable EV ecosystem.
WMG Professor appointed to UK Government's Expert Advisory Panel
Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG at The University of Warwick, has been appointed as a member of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV)Expert Advisory Panel (EAP).
Along with another 11 panel members, Professor Khastgir will advise and inform on the implementation programme and policies within the UK's Automated Vehicles (AV) Act.
UK Government postpones fully self-driving vehicles
Professor Siddartha Khastgir, comments on the UK Government's plans to postpone fully self-driving vehicles in the UK to 2027.
Professor Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, The University of Warwick, said:
‘‘The government’s new proposed date of rolling out self-driving vehicles on UK roads is the correct approach to ensure the safety of the technology and the public. Any policy decision, especially for emerging technologies like self-driving vehicles, must be made by gathering and using scientific evidence.
“While we are glad to see that many international self-driving developers would like to deploy their products in the UK, the recent technology recalls in the US and China are a testimony to the fact that we are still learning. More needs to be done before we can introduce the technology on our roads.
“At WMG, we believe safety has two sides: engineering safety and communicating safety. We need global consensus on both aspects, and we are championing this by working with our international partners.’’
Dean of WMG visits China
Professor Robin ClarkLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, Dean of WMG, visited China recently to strengthen connections and explore new opportunities.
During his trip he attended The University of Warwick’s offer holder event in Beijing, engaging with nearly 300 prospective students and their parents.
He also met with leadership at Beijing City University (BCU)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window and visited East China University of Science (ECUST) in Shanghai – a long-term partner of WMG. On the research side, Professor Clark spent time strengthening partnerships with Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JIITRI), the National Innovation Centre par Excellence (NICE) and industrial partner Pujing Chemicals.
New educational opportunities were also explored in alignment with the University’s strategy, through collaborations with institutions such as the highly ranked Fudan University.
US-UK trade deal expert comment
Professor David GreenwoodLink opens in a new window, CEO WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director for Industrial Engagement, comments on the US-UK trade deal and the impact on the automotive industry.
“This reduction in tariffs will be welcome news to our partners in the automotive industry and their extensive supply chains. As home to JLRLink opens in a new window and Aston MartinLink opens in a new window (amongst others) - two of the biggest and most profitable UK exporters of premium vehicles to the US – the West Midlands is particularly sensitive to any tariffs on the automotive sector.
“This reduced tariff means that manufacturers in the region can have greater confidence in continuing production here in the UK. It will also be a relief to the extensive supply chains that exist here, particularly for our SME community, which will benefit from much greater certainty and stability. Whereas the previous 27.5% tariffs would likely have led to structural changes in the industry, a 10% rate can be more feasibly absorbed by a combination of cost reduction, margin reduction and price increase.
“The 100,000 car export quota approximately matches current levels of vehicle exports to the US; historically export numbers have been much higher, so we would hope for opportunity for that figure to increase over time as the deal shows benefits for both sides.”
Securing the future of manufacturing in Wales – expert comment
Jacqui MurrayLink opens in a new window, HVM Catapult Director of South Wales, spoke at the Welsh Affairs CommitteeLink opens in a new window.
“I was delighted to join the Welsh Affairs Committee to talk about investment in Wales and how government and businesses can work together to benefit the economy and local communities. Wales is well-positioned to capitalise on the opportunities in manufacturing. To seize those opportunities, it’s important for government to support skills development (particularly apprentices and degree apprentices), have great planning and permitting services and a pipeline of sites that are ready for investment in strategic areas.
“The High Value Manufacturing Catapult, including Warwick Manufacturing Group, is uniquely situated to support inward investors and help them connect with supply chains, with more than 3,800 specialists across manufacturing. Catapult’s modelling capabilities can help investors deploy the most cutting edge and the most productive manufacturing technologies. Bringing industry knowledge, research, innovation and investment together is key to securing the future of manufacturing in Wales.”