Materials
The Materials Team in KTN covers a broad scope of the materials life cycle, from feedstock, processing techniques, design and manufacture, testing, standardisation, resource efficiency and circularity.
Materials
The team has strong engagement with the entire value chain, from academic researchers, materials developers through to end-users who make products from these materials and businesses who manage end-of-product life issues. We add value in making the connections that matter.
Materials underpin many applications in our economy. Innovative materials science, engineering and technologies make direct and positive impact on economic growth, the environment and quality of life, through improved processes and products, throughout their lifecycle. The impact of materials is forecast to be even greater as businesses respond to the growing trend in electrification of transport, the drive towards net zero emissions and a comprehensive digital economy.
As a team, we work with industry to make sure that new developments in materials find a useful home to improve the UK economy, environment and quality of life. We bring together the materials supply chain to accelerate innovation, improve productivity and ensure resilience in meeting the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users.

Our current focus in this area
Current Materials funding opportunities
Faraday Battery Challenge Round 5 Innovation: Feasibility Studies
Opens: 23/05/2022 Closes: 17/08/2022
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million across two strands, for innovation in propulsion battery technologies for electric vehicles. This strand is for feasibility studies of less than 12 months with project costs between £100,000 and £750,000.
More Information
iX Challenge: Smarter Bolt Tightening Operations For Offshore Wind Turbines
Opens: 17/06/2022 Closes: 02/08/2022
The challenge is to deliver a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods to checking and tightening bolts and a method to identify loss of tension or failure of a bolt or series of bolts. The method must be suitable for use at operational offshore wind farms,…
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iX Challenge: Automating Access Methods for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Offshore Wind Farm Components
Opens: 17/06/2022 Closes: 02/08/2022
The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside Scottish & Southern Electricity Renewables (SSER), who wish to engage innovators to solve the challenge of automating any of their current non-destructive testing, to remove the need for technicians to work in unsafe environments.
More Information
Materials Events And Recordings
Thu
5
Nov
2020
Engage with…Department for International Trade: mine to magnet-supply chains for critical material
15.00 - 16.00 | Online
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Tue
15
Mar
2022
Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) 2022
09.00 - 16.30 | Online
Watch Now
Tue
16
Mar
2021
Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) 2021
09.00 - 17.00 | Online
Watch Now
Our Materials Experts
Related News

09.05.2022
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) returns for the summer
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a further competition window for applications to the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF).
Read more

10.06.2022
Women In Innovation Success Stories: Christina King, Tribosonics, Yorkshire & the Humber
Christina King’s innovation aims to drive emission reductions and energy savings through a unique sensing technology developed at Tribosonics. 23% of the world‘s energy is lost through tribological contact (the science of wear, friction, and lubrication). By addressing this, there is the potential to save 1.4% of GDP and 8.7% of total energy consumption, and reduce CO2 emissions.
Read more
Programmes related to Materials

Metamaterials Landscape Map
Connecting the value chain of the UK Metamaterials community with industry, research expertise and business support to drive commercialisation.

Net Zero Chemicals Landscape
Connecting the UK’s growing Chemicals community with industrial collaborators, research-base expertise, investment opportunities and funders.