Rail.

Aerospace.

Renewable Energy.

Project Background

The 2045 net zero carbon emission target can only be achieved if industry embraces the transistion from product sales driven business models to ones based on maximising the value of assets.

The project’s aim is to build capability, and capacity in Scottish SMEs, extending the lifetime of high value, complex assets including repurposing products no longer fit for their original purpose. Recovering and reusing assets will reintroduce products to market offsetting carbon emissions. The EXTEND project targets three key sectors:

Rail. Aerospace. Renewable Energy.

Events.

The EXTEND project, funded by the ERDF through the Low Carbon Challenge Fund (LCCF) in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, and Smart Sustainable East Kilbride aims to engage SMEs through the events and projects to support the transition to net zero.

EXTEND Launch

The aim is to support SMEs to become more innovative and to engage in new supply chains while at the same time helping to prepare the companies to respond to new and growing markets. This event provided an introduction to the processes and the practical support, and tools available to evolve to a more sustainable business practice, and supply chain. This workshop was a free online introduction for SMEs interested in gaining an understanding of net zero, who have little involvement or understanding of sustainable carbon offset supply chains. The workshop will provide insight into the process and the tools to support the journey. The EXTEND workshop is a networking opportunity to connect with experts, and to introduce the tools to facilitate your company’s transformation.

EXTEND is a forum where SMEs can define, and voice their needs; tailor tools to support readiness for net zero. The workshop will explore themes including opportunity identification, and technical capability demonstration. The programme includes three invited speakers from SMEs working within the circular economy towards the net zero ambition. They will share their experience on how they developed a service in their circular economy, the lessons learnt, and best practice. Key themes covered are:

Identifying the innovation steps needed to make the transition
Identifying new supply chains,
Exploring the changing nature of the customer and potential new markets.
Workforce preparation through training such as online courses, CPD and workshop.

EXTEND Events

David Butler, DMEM, University of Strathclyde

The Team.

What can we do for you?

The team aims supports a variety of SMEs through engagement to facilitate the application of more sustainable practices, identify opportunites for waste stream or carbon footprint reduction and adopt circular economy practices.

We provide support for –

Manufacturing Sector SMEs

Target companies from part manufacturers to technology providers such as software and digitalisation solutions providers, such as end users, service providers (including machining and repair organisations), design and manufacture organisations and consumer good manufacturers.

Remanufacturing SMEs

Scotland has a number of SMEs that already work in traditional repair and refurbishment process industries and there are opportunities to build on this base by:

identifying new market opportunities,
engaging with new value streams of high value sectors,
raising awareness of innovation within remanufacturing processes,
identifying demonstrators to add value to own business & reducing carbon emissions or waste streams further.

Design SMEs

Design for Remanufacture & sustainability provides an opportunity to change the way products are manufactured. However, product designers need to understand on how to change approaches, its benefits and limitations, and how to best utilise topology optimisation to create functional designs for sustainable practices.

Start ups

Circular economy presents the greatest opportunity for manufacturing since the industrial revolution for organisations such as:

iTechnology providers: new software solutions across design and analysis; material providers
Service: new supplementary manufacturing processes such as cleaning, finishing and tracking of goods.

Our Team

David Butler

DMEM, University of Strathclyde

My focus at Strathclyde is the areas of Manufacturing Metrology & Processes and is a joint position with the National Physical Laboratory. Academic & Educator with a track record of establishing global translational research infrastructure. David’s broad expertise covers.

Specialities: Metrology
Manufacturing processes
Technology Innovation
Digital Manufacturing

Paul Cantwell

Remanufacturing Specialist. NMIS, University of Strathclyde

Paul’s expertise and work covers the entire product development cycle – from material testing and characterisation through to industry standard manufacturing trials and product tests.

Robert Lynch

Design Engineer, NMIS, University of Strathclyde

Robert can support the translation of abstract ideas into coherent commercial product solutions. Robert offers a holistic approach to product development after overcoming various design, manufacture, engineering and management challenges. He offers, a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, a creative flair in design and an ability to productively collaborate with multidisciplinary expertise.