Two of Liverpool City Region’s (LCR) innovation leaders, LYVA Labs and Glass Futures, combined their knowledge, networks and facilities to connect businesses, academics and funders from LCR’s advanced manufacturing sector.
The Innovation in Net Zero Event, run by LYVA Labs as part of Innovate UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Launchpad programme, stimulated discussion about how and where the sector can support the city region’s ambition to become net zero by 2040 – a full 10 years ahead of the UK target.
Lorna Green, CEO of LYVA Labs, said, “We were delighted to see such broad representation from across the advanced manufacturing sector at this event, and hope it initiated some useful collaborations.”
Speakers at the event included:
- Peter Liggett, Senior R&D Project Manager at St. Helens-based Glass Futures, who talked about their world-leading R&D testing and trials facility, driving decarbonisation in glass production;
- Rory Back, R&D Incubator Technical Manager at St. Helens-based NSG Group, who explained how the company produces low-carbon glass and develops glass products to enable net-zero buildings and transport;
- Patrick Fenner, Director, and Head of Engineering at DefProc, who discussed an award-winning net-zero partnership with Northern Gas Networks.
The event was the second in a series designed to engage with key people in the advanced manufacturing sector about challenges, opportunities and themes in the sector.
LYVA Labs, which was created with a GBP 10.5 million investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, was excited to host the event at Glass Futures as the facility represents the scope and ambition of LCR’s investment in innovation and the manufacturing industry. Glass Futures was set up with the help of a GBP 9 million grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and a GBP 15 million UKRI grant.
Peter Liggett, Glass Futures’ Senior R&D Project Manager, said, “This event was the perfect opportunity for us to support LYVA Labs in its quest to bring key innovators, entrepreneurs, and funders together to discuss decarbonisation.”
LYVA Labs looks forward to inviting its Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Network to the next event, which is due to take place early next year. Sign up to join Liverpool City Region Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Network LinkedIn site to learn more about the date, theme and venue.