The University of Manchester, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announcing a partnership to scope out the next phase of development of the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), the first major development in the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone.
Located at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, the SMMC will bring cutting-edge research and development facilities to the heart of Atom Valley, positioning the region at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing innovation. The partnership combines the academic and research excellence of the University of Manchester – through its new innovation capability, Unit M – with the local expertise and economic development drive of the RDA.
GMCA is working with The University of Manchester and the RDA to build momentum for the SMMC and to explore the options for both parties’ involvement in the centre. GMCA has allocated £10 million of Investment Zone grant funding to support the development of the new facility and to establish the SMMC as an organisation to run translational research programmes.
The SMMC builds on the success of CEAMS (the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability), which is funded through the UK Government’s Innovation Accelerator programme. CEAMS has already demonstrated the region’s capacity for industrial innovation and public-private collaboration.
The centre is set to support start-ups, scale-ups, and established manufacturers through advanced labs, digitalisation suites, design studios, and collaborative spaces focused on sustainable materials, industrial digitalisation, and advanced machinery.
Simon Herring, Northern Development Director, Homes England, added:
“We are proud to support the development of the wider area around the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre. The site at Kingsway is a key strategic location for Greater
Manchester, and by investing in enabling infrastructure and place-making, we are helping to unlock long-term economic and social value for local communities.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“This partnership brings a world-class university right into the heart of Atom Valley. The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre is an important step towards our long-term vision – creating a global hub for innovation, industry and skills development, with a focus on advanced materials and manufacturing. It will also be key to promoting inclusive growth in Greater Manchester, attracting investment and creating jobs and opportunities for people in the North of the city-region.”
Sarah Want, Innovation Director and Unit M lead for the project, continued:
“We are proud to be partnering with the RDA and GMCA to scope out this exciting development. The University of Manchester is the innovation engine of the city region, and as we continue to build a world class innovation ecosystem in the city centre, we’re finding that our start up companies quite quickly need scale up and grow on space – Kingsway is an ideal place for this. We’re excited to be helping to scope SMMC which is set to be the catalyst for the development of an advanced materials cluster and a gateway for companies across Atom Valley to access the research and innovation resources in the City Centre.”
The SMMC is expected to open in 2027 and will serve as the gateway to the wider Atom Valley initiative, which spans Rochdale, Bury, and Oldham. Atom Valley will eventually deliver 17 million sq ft of employment space and up to 20,000 high-quality jobs, becoming a northern engine of the UK’s innovation economy.
Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“The SMMC is not just a building; it’s a symbol of ambition and progress. By working with a globally renowned University, we’re creating a place where ideas, skills, and industry meet to create real opportunities for our communities.”
