Innovate UK launches UK-India Innovation Insight Reports

Following a series of advanced manufacturing pathfinder workshops and webinars in 2022, Innovate UK in partnership with UK India Business Council (UKIBC), Finovista India, Unconventional Connections UK, The Department for Science and Technology (DST) India, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) India, conducted Innovation Insight Studies. We are delighted to present the outcome reports.

Innovate UK KTN worked closely with stakeholders across UK and India to explore and identify areas of mutual research and innovation interest, opportunities and challenges in advanced materials, digital manufacturing and connected supply chains, and sustainable manufacturing.  A series of advanced manufacturing pathfinder workshops and webinars took place in March 2022 which provided insights into synergies between the two countries and delivered recommendations for future UK-India collaboration opportunities and priorities.​

​India has seen remarkable innovative technological advances and growth in recent years. Collaborating with the UK will provide a significant boost to innovation, research, development and international connections. The two countries already work closely together on many multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the Commonwealth. India is the UK’s second-largest investor. The UK-India Partnership has fostered knowledge sharing and is key to creating a more sustainable future.

Nee-Joo Teh, Head of Global Alliance, Innovate UK KTN commented:

I am absolutely delighted to announce the launch of three UK-India Innovation Insight Study Reports in the Advanced Manufacturing sector to highlight the strength of collaboration between both countries and serves as a testament to the potential that lies ahead. The reports not only offer valuable joint insights but have paved the way for future opportunities in the field, starting with the India-UK Collaborative R&D for Industrial Sustainability bilateral funding competition between Innovate UK and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India. I am grateful for everyone involved and excited to see the positive impact for our manufacturing industries.

By leveraging UK’s expertise in the latest engineering technologies, India can further accelerate the adoption of robotics and ai, automation, and smart manufacturing to benefit the aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and renewable energy sectors.

Abishek Ramesh, Technology Strategy Manager, The High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) mentioned:

The UK-India research collaboration is already strong across a wide range of areas, such as future telecoms, renewable energy, health and environmental sustainability. The UK is a world leader in advanced materials and industrial digital technologies and manufacturing industries are catalysts for economic prosperity. India’s manufacturing sectors are undergoing a rapid transformation, presenting a compelling opportunity for strategic partnerships between the United Kingdom and India. It is imperative that both sides seize this moment to capitalise on the emerging growth prospects and reap mutual benefits. This report holds immense significance as it highlights the synergistic capabilities and sets the agenda to drive more collaborative research and innovation activities in the realm of advanced manufacturing.

Through joint initiatives, UK and Indian companies can develop innovative manufacturing processes, expand their markets, implement training programmes and further boost our manufacturing capabilities. The impact from these Innovation Insight Studies is immense as highlighted by Geeny George Shaju, Deputy Interim Director, UKRI India:

We are delighted that the insights report on India Pathfinder has been published. The pathfinder workshop brought together experts from the govt, industry, academics together to help understand the landscape, identify R&I opportunities and challenges. Building on the success of the workshop, UKRI’s Innovate UK and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India have launched a bilateral programme on Industrial research and development collaborations, which includes sustainable manufacturing as key focus area. Other areas of focus are sustainable material and power electronics, machines and drives.

The collaboration between the two countries could pave the way for a new era of advanced manufacturing not to be underestimated. It could drive economic growth on a global scale. Both nations have connected for positive change.

Download the reports below.