Agreement signed to fast-track Atom Valley innovation hub in Rochdale

Monday, 19 May 2025 09:25

By David Murphy

Plans for a world-leading centre for sustainable manufacturing in Rochdale have taken a major step forward, after a landmark agreement was signed by regional leaders and the University of Manchester.

The Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), the University of Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have formally agreed to work together on the next phase of development for the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC)—a flagship project in the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone.

The trio signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday (22 May) to progress the development of the centre, which will be based at Kingsway Business Park.

Billed as the first major project in the Atom Valley initiative, the SMMC will focus on sustainable materials, industrial digitalisation and advanced machinery. It is backed by £10 million of government investment zone funding, allocated by GMCA to help establish the centre and run translational research programmes aimed at bringing scientific breakthroughs into real-world industrial use.

The SMMC will support a full ecosystem of innovation, from start-ups and scale-ups to established manufacturers, offering access to labs, design studios, digitalisation suites and collaborative spaces. It builds on the success of CEAMS, the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability, already funded under the UK Government’s Innovation Accelerator programme.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, called the SMMC “a symbol of ambition and progress”.

“By working with a globally renowned university, we’re creating a place where ideas, skills and industry meet to create real opportunities for our communities,” he said.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described the development as a “global hub for innovation, industry and skills”, and added: “This partnership brings a world-class university right into the heart of Atom Valley. The centre will be crucial for attracting investment and creating jobs for the northern parts of Greater Manchester.”

Unit M, the university’s new innovation division, will play a lead role in shaping the project. Sarah Want, Innovation Director and lead for the project, said Kingsway offers a perfect location for scaling early-stage businesses emerging from Manchester’s innovation ecosystem.

“The SMMC is set to be the catalyst for developing an advanced materials cluster and a gateway for companies across Atom Valley to connect with cutting-edge research,” she said.

The SMMC is due to open in 2027 and will form a central part of the wider Atom Valley strategy, which spans Rochdale, Bury and Oldham. The full plan will deliver up to 17 million square feet of employment space and 20,000 jobs, putting the area at the heart of the UK’s sustainable innovation economy.