A new £5.5 million initiative will aim to establish Scotland’s Central Belt as a global leader in sustainable electronics manufacturing and design.
The Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies Centre (REACT) is one of five new centres announced across the UK which will share in £25 million from UK Research and Innovation’s £25 million Accelerating the Green Economy programme.
The University of Glasgow will lead and coordinate the four-year project in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Scotland.
“REACT is the UK’s first sustainable electronics centre,” said the University of Glasgow.
“It will drive the transition to net-zero electronics, addressing both the environmental and economic challenges faced by the industry, while promoting the adoption of green technologies through collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.
“The electronics industry is primarily driven by technical and economic considerations, often neglecting sustainability principles.
“This has led to significant challenges, including large amounts of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), high emissions across the supply chain, and widespread use of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) such as gold, palladium, and indium—materials with limited reserves.
“In Scotland, however, the electronics industry is vital to the regional economy, driving economic growth, environmental commitments, and national security.
“With over 130 companies and 10,300 employees contributing to an annual turnover of £2.8bn+, this sector plays a crucial role in fostering productivity and growth.
“However, as more prominent manufacturers and buyers increasingly demand that suppliers commit to decarbonising their products, alongside growing legislative pressure, it is clear that the industry must adapt.”
Professor Jeff Kettle from the University of Glasgow, who will lead and coordinate the REACT Hub, said: “The Centre will unite leading researchers to drive the industry’s transition toward a net-zero economy. Its primary focus will be developing solutions to reduce electronic waste, minimise reliance on critical raw materials (CRMs), and reduce carbon footprints.”
Professor Bing Xu of Heriot-Watt University said: “REACT will leverage its partnerships to translate research into practical applications, boosting both the region’s and the UK’s global competitiveness in the sector.”
REACT will collaborate with SMEs in the region to develop demonstrators and market-led solutions and provide skills training.
Prof Jason Love of the University of Edinburgh said: “REACT will bring together industrial partners as well as the supply chain of companies and proactively communicate to the wider public, driving change at a governmental level.”