Innovation

Aluminium is increasingly important across engineering and manufacturing applications – particularly because of trends around lightweighting and the circular economy. Together with Catapult centres, universities and member businesses, we’re spearheading technical advances across casting, forming, forging and recycling. This includes joint projects with the Advanced Forming Research Centre, the Brunel Centre of Advanced Solidification Technology, the University of Wolverhampton and Bloodhound SSC.

In areas such as superforming, hot quenching, vacuum-assisted high-pressure diecasting, pre-treatment and bonding of high tensile components, and alloy development, we’re seeing R&D that will take aluminium to the next level. This includes design innovation looking at how aluminium works within a portfolio of metals, as well as with material ceramics and organics. 

We’re also involved in the government’s small business panel, advising on how policies can help SMEs leverage innovation to boost productivity and competitiveness.