Scottish Government backs Glasgow Fraunhofer CAP expansion
Fraunhofer UK Research, which "opens the door to the Fraunhofer network", is a not-for-profit company. It was created and established headquarters in Glasgow in 2012 at the same time that Fraunhofer CAP was founded, and has flagged plans for the opening of 'further research centres across the UK in technical areas with established high-quality research and where there is sufficient industrial demand'.
In Glasgow, scientists specialise in creating lasers and optical systems to address complex challenges in areas such as security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy, and communications.
Fraunhofer CAP, currently housed in the University of Strathclyde's Technology & Innovation Centre, has expanded into the second floor of the university's neighbouring Inovo Building. This doubles its laboratory and office capacity.
The expansion has been enabled by the Scottish Government's decision to give Fraunhofer CAP an additional £500,000 of funding this year, with economic development agency Scottish Enterprise providing an additional £300,000 for the centre to further develop its pioneering work in fast-growing markets.
Fraunhofer UK Research noted the Glasgow innovation centre 'leverages that support for student training, strategic R&D, and subsequently wins contracts and grants'.
It added that, in the last year alone, Fraunhofer CAP delivered more than £5 million of applied research and development projects for industry.
Richard Lochhead, Scottish minister for business and employment, saw some of Fraunhofer CAP's work when he visited the new facility on Tuesday.
Fraunhofer UK Research observed the Scottish Government had recently convened the industry-led Scottish critical technologies supercluster advisory board to 'progress and promote key technical areas in which Scotland excels, such as photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductors and sensing', noting these are all areas in which Fraunhofer CAP is heavily involved.
Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research, said: 'We have proven the success of the Fraunhofer model here in Scotland, as evidenced by the large number of projects we deliver for industrial partners.
'Our photonics and quantum expertise is helping industry stay at the forefront of innovation and this ministerial visit demonstrates the importance of the part we have to play in the economy.'
He added: 'Both the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are key stakeholders for our organisation and have provided support since our inception in 2012."
Mr Lochhead said: 'The Scottish Government is a proud supporter of Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, having providing core funding for the institute since its inception in 2012. As the only Fraunhofer in the UK, it plays an important role in turning cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions across critical industries.
'I am pleased that increased Scottish Government funding this year has helped it expand operations in Glasgow, increasing its capacity to support vital projects across energy, net zero and space, while growing Scotland's critical technologies supercluster.
'The supercluster is strategically important to the Scottish economy, and the Scottish Government will continue to support the incredible capability, talent and innovation across the industry as it pursues ambitious growth over the coming decade.'
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