Funded with £44 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the new Manufacturing Research Hubs for a Sustainable Future will bring together world-class researchers with over 180 industry and civic partners to address some of the UK’s most urgent manufacturing challenges - cutting carbon emissions, creating high-value jobs, and accelerating innovation for a greener, more resilient economy.
UCL Mechanical Engineering is contributing to this ambitious programme through one hub and one project:
Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics
UCL is a core partner in the £11 million EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics, led by the University of Warwick in collaboration with the University of Manchester. UCL’s contribution is led by Professor Mark Miodownik, UCL Professor of Materials & Society who was also recently appointed as the new Royal Society Professor of Public Engagement.
This hub will specialise on researching how durable plastics - used in sectors such as automotive, construction and electronics - can be better designed, manufactured, and recycled.
Professor Miodownik said:
“Our research team at UCL will be leading the research into the science of reducing, reusing, and repairing plastic components in the automotive, electrical and construction sectors. We will also be working with companies to analyse and help develop the business models underpinning these more sustainable approaches to using engineering plastics, to enable them to become both more sustainable and globally competitive.”
With support from over 60 industry partners, the hub aims to reduce plastic waste, support greener manufacturing practices, and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
PFAS-Free Liquid-Repellent Textiles: Leading the Charge on Sustainable Coatings
Led by Professor Manish K. Tiwari, UCL has secured a £1.7 million EPSRC grant to develop advanced coatings for technical textiles - without the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
Welcoming the EPSRC announcement Professor Tiwari said,
“We are looking forward to collaborating with colleagues from the University of Leeds and the University of De Montfort on this project. Together we aim to address key challenges around removal of harmful chemicals from textiles manufacturing and treatment.”
PFAS are widely used in water- and stain-resistant fabrics but are increasingly being phased out due to their toxic, bio-persistent nature and severe environmental impact. Professor Tiwari’s project aims to replace these harmful substances with PFAS-free amphiphobic coatings that repel both water and low surface tension liquids (like oils and solvents), while maintaining essential textile properties such as breathability and durability.
Using materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), the team will focus on scalable, industrially viable solutions with applications across healthcare, fashion, construction, and defense.
