New NWCAM2 initiative to address challenges facing life & health sciences sector

A new multi-million-euro cross-border innovation initiative is seeking to help 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health and life sciences sector to embed and accelerate sustainable manufacturing in their businesses.

Catalyst has secured funding under the PEACEPLUS Innovation Challenge Fund to lead NWCAM2—the North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing 2 which will work with businesses in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

The project, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), has received funding of €9,981,033 and will be led by Catalyst, in partnership with Atlantic Technology University (ATU), North West Regional College, Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Manufacturing Research Centre.

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14bn.

NWCAM2 will address crucial challenges in the life and health sciences sector by supporting SMEs in the development of environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products – enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete on a global scale.

NWCAM2 builds on the success of the original NWCAM project, funded through INTERREG VA, which was widely recognised for delivering high-impact manufacturing innovations such as Armstrong Medical’s rapid-response ventilator technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new programme takes that success further by combining deep research with practical implementation to ensure tangible benefits, directly supporting SMEs on both sides of the border to embed advanced technologies like additive manufacturing, digital tools, and sustainable materials.

Rob Grundy, Director of Innovation Partnerships, Catalyst: “NWCAM2 is a natural evolution of our work through the original NWCAM project. This investment allows us to scale impact, supporting businesses to drive forward innovation that benefits both our economy and the environment.”

Dr. David Tormey, Principal Investigator, ATU said: “We are delighted to part of the North-West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing 2, which brings together cutting-edge academic expertise, dynamic PhD talent, and targeted innovation support to empower SMEs with innovation in advanced manufacturing. By investing in collaborative research and development, we’re not only strengthening the innovation capacity of local businesses but also contributing to the long-term regional prosperity of the North-West cross border region.”

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College said: “NWRC is delighted to partner with Catalyst, ATU, Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre to support small and medium enterprises, in the health and medtech sectors, with innovation and develop new and improved products through applied research. Our innovation centres such as the Product Design Centre, industry 4.0, XR, DIAL and Foodovation have a track record of assisting business to innovate and grow and we excited to extend this with the NW CAM2 partnership, for businesses across Northern Ireland and the border counties in the Republic of Ireland.”  

Professor Liam Maguire, Pro Vice Chancellor of Research at Ulster University, said: “Ulster University is delighted to contribute to the North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, an exciting collaborative cross-border project that builds on previous work and brings together a range of research institutions that will help drive innovation in manufacturing across the local Life and Health Sciences sector.”

Adrian Boyd, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University School of Engineering and project researcher, commented: “NWCAM2, which builds on a previously funded project, will support the development of new innovative products and process, enhance sustainability, and help companies adopt net-zero approaches. The impact of this project will mean enhanced global competitiveness for these companies, the creation of new jobs, enhance knowledge transfer through pooling our collective expertise, and bring massive benefits to local communities and wider society. We are grateful for the funding from PEACEPLUS and are looking forward to seeing the results of the project.”

Dr. Kevin Fraser, EU Programme Manager of Irish Manufacturing Research, said: “Irish Manufacturing Research is proud to support NWCAM2 in accelerating sustainable innovation across the Health & Life Sciences sector—empowering SMEs with cutting-edge technologies to drive competitiveness, reduce emissions, and deliver real-world impact.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre added: “Economic development in any post-conflict region is essential for underpinning peace, by creating prosperity. The provision of support for SMEs, research and innovation in specific areas identified is a key focus within the PEACEPLUS Programme. 

“By investing in collaborative innovation, we will see the development of strong and entrepreneurial, innovation-led ecosystems that drive sustainable growth, increased productivity and competitive advantage.”

Photo caption: Steve Orr (Catalyst), Dr Fergal Tuffy (NWRC), Dr Nick Timmons (ATU), Dr David Tormey (ATU), Dr Adrain Boyd (UU), Rob Grundy (Catalyst), Natasha O’Hea (Catalyst), Dr Shaun Mc Fadden (UU)

For more information please contact:

Jamie Stinson, Head of Brand and Marketing, Catalyst
Jamie.stinson@wearecatalyst.org

Notes

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14bn, to be delivered over the next four years.

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

About Irish Manufacturing Research: Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a leading Research and Technology Organisation providing a portfolio of research, training, and consultancy services to Industry across the following four thematic pillars: Digitisation, Sustainable manufacturing, Design for Manufacturing and Robotics and Automation. IMR works with leading global and indigenous brands to demystify, and derisk new and emerging technologies and to deliver high impact collaborative research and services to enable advanced manufacturing for a broad range of clients across Ireland’s manufacturing network.