MEP celebrates success of University of Exeter EU-funded projects

South West MEP Clare Moody has met pioneering University of Exeter experts who are helping to boost economic growth and create jobs in the region.

Funding from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund, has helped establish two Business Technology Centres at the University of Exeter, which have supported more than 380 businesses, providing research support, advice and access to facilities and leading academics.

Ms Moody heard how CALM (Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing) and CALMARE (Centre for Alternative Materials and Remanufacturing), both run by the Exeter Technologies Group, have helped companies test new products and materials using University facilities, get advice about manufacturing, and make improvements to their operation processes.

CALM and CALMARE have strengthened links between the University of Exeter and local businesses, and have led to academics and entrepreneurs working collaboratively on joint research projects.

CALMARE has received £1.6m funding over the past two years from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the University of Exeter and industry partners.

Since its launch, CALM has created an estimated regional growth of more than £2million, with data set to be collected for CALMARE throughout 2016.

CALMARE has supported businesses to operate in a more sustainable way, and has led to the creation of at least 13 new products launched in the past two years and seven patents or IP devices, with many more new products further advanced in the development cycle.

Ms Moody has visited the University of Exeter previously to hear about the progress of both projects.

Professor Mark Goodwin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and External Engagement), who met with Ms Moody, said: “European Union funding has been crucial to help the University of Exeter support initiatives that facilitate the interaction of business and higher education. This has brought huge benefits to local companies and the regional economy.

“Experts at the University of Exeter have supported businesses across a wide range of sectors, from medicine, to food and drink and plastics manufacture. It has allowed them to accelerate the process of product development and reduce costs.”

Ms Moody said: "It's been great to come back to CALMARE and see first-hand the good use that EU money has been put to. Small companies have been able to develop and test completely new products and have benefited from the one-to-one support that the University of Exeter has provided.

“The companies involved have been making things from medical devices to innovative children's cutlery to national award winning wool products."