Rolls to lead UK nuclear research

The NAMRC is expected to open in 2011 and will further expand the growing network of advanced manufacturing research centres in the UK. These strategic partnerships between industry and universities develop and share technologies and processes for high-value added manufacturing. The Government-funded Centre will bring together an industrial consortium of around 30 companies from the UK nuclear supply chain. Universities will be selected to host the Centre and lead key research themes. The NAMRC will develop key manufacturing, management and training processes and support nuclear accreditation. It will also provide a focus for the UK supply chain's response to the increasing global market for nuclear power. Rolls-Royce says its nuclear expertise derives from its 50-year involvement in developing and supporting nuclear plant for the Royal Navy's submarine programme and boasts it now has the largest nuclear skills base and supply chain of any UK company, with around 2,000 employees and 260 suppliers accredited to nuclear standards. Lawrie Haynes, president of Rolls-Royce Nuclear, said the global `nuclear renaissance' presented a real opportunity for the UK to revitalise its manufacturing capability. The Centre would enable the UK to develop new capabilities to address its own civil nuclear programme and to compete more effectively in international markets.