The University of Sheffield AMRC welcomed Chancellor of the Exchequer to its innovation centres today to showcase how its research and development capabilities are driving the UK’s global leadership in sustainable aviation.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, visited the AMRC's new Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) facility, one of the North of England’s largest ever research and innovation projects which was announced as part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Joined by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield Professor Koen Lamberts and AMRC interim chief executive officer Ben Morgan, the Chancellor toured the state-of-the-art facility designed to revolutionise aerospace manufacturing.

During the visit, the Chancellor praised the University of Sheffield and AMRC’s commitment to working in lockstep with industry to advance the UK’s position as a clean energy superpower, while creating highly skilled jobs and boosting economic growth both regionally and nationally.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “It was fantastic to visit the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and see first-hand how South Yorkshire is leading the way in cutting-edge innovation. 

"The partnerships here between world-class researchers and global companies like Boeing, Rolls-Royce and McLaren show exactly why we're backing advanced manufacturing through our modern Industrial Strategy.

"This region has unique strengths that we're determined to build on. That's why we're working with local leaders and businesses to ensure the benefits of growth are felt right across the North, raising living standards and creating opportunities for working people."

While building lighter passenger jets is critical to achieving net-zero aviation, current manufacturing processes remain time-consuming and inconsistent. COMPASS is set to deliver the technological breakthroughs required to produce lightweight aerostructures at scale, making aircraft production faster, more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

Built as an extension to the AMRC's flagship Factory 2050, the COMPASS facility is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult. Its maiden project is a landmark research programme with long-standing partner Boeing - the world’s largest aerospace manufacturer.

With a focus on clean energy and the opportunities it brings, the Chancellor also visited a major new manufacturing facility within Factory 2050 that will produce prototype modules for modular reactors as part of a multi-million pound partnership with Rolls-Royce SMR. The facility will help de-risk and underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR programme that aims to deploy a fleet of factory-built nuclear power plants in the UK and across the world.

Ben Morgan, interim Chief Executive Officer of the AMRC, said: “The work we are doing at the AMRC, as a proud member of the HVM Catapult, is a blueprint for the future of UK manufacturing. From light weighting aerostructures at our new COMPASS facility to developing modular manufacturing processes with Rolls-Royce SMR, we are bridging the gap between world-class research and industrial reality.

“With a 25-year track record of proven success, it was a privilege to show the Chancellor how our advanced manufacturing expertise is underpinning the UK’s transition to net-zero while powering economic growth, both regionally and nationally.

“Guided by the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re committed to working alongside our colleagues in the University and HVM Catapult to ensure the UK remains a global leader in sustainable innovation.”

The COMPASS facility complements the pioneering work of the University’s Energy Innovation Centre, which is helping to test sustainable fuels to power the passenger planes of tomorrow. Sheffield was part of a consortium that delivered the world’s first transatlantic flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel.

To accelerate this transition, the University is leading a £1.5 million UK-Government-funded project to speed up sustainable aviation fuel production to help bring passengers a step closer to greener flights. It also hosts the UK SAF Clearing House, one of only two such centres in the world, that support fuel producers in obtaining the certification needed for use in the aviation industry.

Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We’re proud to be at the forefront of the UK’s sustainable aviation revolution, harnessing our world-leading research and innovation to transform air travel and power the UK’s future growth and prosperity.

“COMPASS builds on our industrial heritage and is a testament to our region’s strengths. It was a pleasure to demonstrate to the Chancellor that this investment is not only driving efforts to solve global challenges and creating highly skilled jobs, but is advancing the government’s Industrial Strategy and is set to pay dividends for generations to come.