- Completion of base build marks next phase for Rochdale’s advanced materials and manufacturing innovation hub
- 30,000 sq. ft centre designed to connect research, specialist facilities and commercial production
- Development forecast to generate £107m in economic value over 10 years
The base build of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale has been completed, marking a major milestone in the development of Atom Valley’s advanced materials and manufacturing innovation district.
Designed by Bond Bryan, the 30,000 sq. ft centre will provide a physical gateway into the UK’s advanced materials and manufacturing network, connecting businesses with specialist space, facilities, research expertise and support to help move new technologies from concept towards commercial application.
The building is the first major physical development within the Atom Valley Innovation District (AVID), a 25-acre hub in Rochdale intended to bring together businesses, researchers, investors and innovation partners. The next phase will focus on specialist fit-out ahead of the centre becoming operational in 2027.
The project addresses a key challenge for advanced manufacturing: creating environments that support the transition from research and development to commercialisation and production, while accommodating specialist processes and allowing for emerging technologies and changing business needs.
Mark Adey, director at Bond Bryan, said: “The SMMC is about creating the infrastructure that allows innovation to move beyond the laboratory and into commercialisation and manufacture. That transition places very different demands on a building, so the challenge is creating highly technical environments that work for specialist processes today, while remaining flexible enough to respond to technologies and businesses that are still emerging.
“We’ve spent decades designing research, science and advanced manufacturing environments across the UK, and that experience has shown us that the most successful places connect people, ideas and processes rather than treating research and production as separate worlds. SMMC brings those elements together in one place, creating an adaptable environment that can evolve alongside the industries it supports.”
Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) has led the physical development of the centre, working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), The University of Manchester and wider innovation partners to secure investment and establish advanced materials and manufacturing as a priority for Rochdale and Greater Manchester.
The project builds on the establishment of the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) in 2023. Convened by RDA, CEAMS connects businesses with a national network of specialist expertise, facilities and innovation support, including The University of Manchester, the Henry Royce Institute, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and NCC, formerly the National Composites Centre.
CEAMS has already supported more than 90 companies to develop new products and processes, demonstrating the potential of a connected innovation ecosystem. The SMMC will provide a permanent physical base from which businesses can access this wider network and progress their ideas towards commercial use.
The building has received £15.2 million from the UK Government’s Towns Fund and £5.8 million from the Greater Manchester Investment Zone.
A further £16.4 million has been secured through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), a UK Government programme delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The fund is investing £500 million to strengthen regional innovation economies across the country.
The University of Manchester is the lead delivery partner for the programme, working with RDA and the CEAMS consortium to activate the innovation ecosystem around the SMMC.
Independent analysis forecasts that the centre will generate £107 million in economic value over 10 years, delivering a 2:1 return on public investment while helping attract businesses, inward investment and high-value employment to Atom Valley.
Councillor Daniel Meredith, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The building completion of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre is fantastic news for Rochdale residents. This landmark facility will help create new employment opportunities, support the development of high-value skills and ensure local people can benefit from some of the most exciting advances in modern manufacturing and materials science.
“We've worked hard to position Rochdale at the forefront of innovation and advanced manufacturing, and the SMMC is a clear example of that ambition becoming reality. It's a major investment in our future, creating opportunities for local businesses, attracting new employers and helping to build a stronger economy for generations to come.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said: “Atom Valley is an exciting opportunity and key to our plans to bring good growth to every postcode in Greater Manchester. The completion of the SMMC building is a major milestone for what will become a nationally significant hub for innovation.
“We’re providing space for businesses and connecting them with investment, world-class research, facilities and support within the wider Atom Valley Innovation District. In practice, that means more opportunities for our businesses to grow, attracting new investment to this part of Greater Manchester, and more high-value jobs for our residents.”
