Government boosts aerospace industry with 3D printing centre
THE GOVERNMENT yesterday said it is providing £30m to fund the development of new aerospace technology in the UK, including a 3D printing centre.
The £30m will be matched by industry, bringing the total to £60m. This will be spent on a new aerospace facility, for companies to develop materials for use in planes, jet engines and civil helicopters.
The funding will also be used to create a national centre for additive manufacturing, or so-called 3D printing technology, to develop new products for aero-engines and aircraft landing gears, as well as automotive and medical devices.
“Up to 27,000 new planes are needed between now and 2030, worth billions of pounds to the UK economy in contracts,” said chancellor George Osborne at a visit to the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry. “That is why I am announcing today that, together with industry, we will invest around £60m in a dedicated facility for aerospace manufacturing as part of £2bn of support for this growing sector.”
Business secretary Vince Cable said: “The aerospace industrial strategy…is giving businesses the confidence to invest in the UK, creating more high-skilled, long-term jobs.”