The University of Sheffield AMRC and Centre for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (CHESCO) in Germany have signed a Letter of Intent to advance innovation in sustainable manufacturing and mobility technologies, laying the foundations for new joint research projects. 

The declaration of intent was signed in the presence of the Minister-President of the State of Brandenburg, Dr Dietmar Woidke, at the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility in Sheffield. It deepens cooperation between South Yorkshire and Lusatia regions that share a history of powerful transformation, from coal-mining areas to modern industrial and science hubs. 

With the Letter of Intent, the two research centres declared their mutual intention to strengthen cooperation for research, development and innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalisation and sustainable mobility – with the common goal of translating scientific findings into marketable innovations. 

This scientific and technological partnership will particularly benefit companies in the aerospace, medical and manufacturing sectors, with cooperation envisaged with major industry players such as Rolls-Royce and Boeing.

Ben Morgan, AMRC interim chief executive officer, said: “By joining forces with CHESCO GmbH, we’re connecting UK and German expertise to push the boundaries of advanced manufacturing and deliver real industrial impact in the UK and Germany.

"This partnership is particularly important, as it bridges two great industrial regions, Sheffield and Lusatia, that share a powerful history of transformation, creating a direct innovation corridor between the two — connecting world-class expertise to push the boundaries of manufacturing for years to come."

Heiko Witte, CHESCO GmbH managing director, said: "With this letter of intent, we are placing our collaboration with the University of Sheffield AMRC – which also served as a model for the establishment of our chesco research factory – on a new footing. 

“The cooperation with one of the leading research centres for manufacturing and digitalisation opens new opportunities for industrial partnerships for both institutes and regions – especially in aviation research and other innovation programs. 

“The exchange of knowledge, applications, and scientific experts is particularly important to us in order to strengthen European cooperation in research and development in the long term."

Dr Dietmar Woidke, Minister-President of the state of Brandenburg, said: “Both regions have great experience in shaping structural change and overcoming challenges. In the future, they will benefit even more from the exchange of knowledge, industrial partnerships and innovation initiatives. 

“We want to advance Sheffield and Lusatia as European centres for sustainable innovations in the areas of mobility, medicine, lightweight construction and composite materials. The networking with the University of Sheffield AMRC and the innovation region of South Yorkshire is of particular interest, especially for the development of the Lusatia Science Park, for which Sheffield was a model.  

“The Letter of Intent is a first step towards joint research proposals, the exchange of scientists and the joint development of new technologies.”