Clean Growth & Infrastructure R&D Companies UK

Ilika Technologies is a solid-state battery company that develops miniature Stereax batteries for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and medical implants, as well as larger Goliath batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Founded in 2004, the company has evolved from early materials research into self-healing alloys and photonic data storage to focus on scaling solid-state battery manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on automotive applications. Their work addresses the need for safer, higher-energy-density batteries that enable ultra-fast charging and longer lifespan across multiple sectors.

Tisics is a UK advanced materials company specialising in silicon carbide fibre reinforced metal matrix composites. They develop lightweight, high-performance materials for demanding applications in aerospace, space, defence, and hydrogen energy, achieving weight reductions of 30-70% compared to conventional metals. Their work has evolved from initial feasibility studies on landing gear components to scaling production and deploying products in satellite propellant tanks and hydrogen storage for next-generation aircraft.

Wight Shipyard Company designs and constructs zero-emission vessels for river transport, focusing on battery-electric ferries and freight vessels with integrated shore-side charging infrastructure. Their work evolved from a feasibility study on autonomous barges to building a real-world demonstrator ferry and currently an electric freight vessel, all for the River Thames. They collaborate closely with industrial partners like BAE Systems and Thames Clippers to decarbonise marine transport.

City Science Corporation is a data analytics and digital twin specialist that develops software platforms for transport modelling, building retrofit, energy system planning, and climate analytics. Their products help local authorities and industry partners accelerate net-zero transitions by automating complex planning processes and enabling investment-grade decision-making.

VPI Immingham is an industrial energy operator focused on the decarbonisation of large-scale power and refining infrastructure in the Humber region. The company leads and participates in major collaborative projects to integrate carbon capture and hydrogen technologies into existing industrial assets. Their work is central to the UK's industrial cluster strategy, aiming to transition high-emission sites into low-carbon energy hubs.

National Grid Carbon is a specialist entity focused on the development and deployment of large-scale carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) infrastructure. The company acts as a critical partner in UK industrial decarbonisation, facilitating the design of transport and storage systems that link major industrial clusters to geological sequestration sites. Their work is central to the transition of the Humber and Teesside regions towards net zero by enabling hydrogen transmission and CO2 capture at scale.

HydroStar Europe is a hydrogen technology company developing electrolysers that operate on unpurified water, metal hydride storage systems, and integrated hydrogen infrastructure. They focus on green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution for transport, maritime, and industrial applications, evolving from storage R&D to multi-sector hydrogen supply chain solutions.

iCOMAT is a composite manufacturing technology company that developed Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS), a process for depositing wide carbon fibre tapes along curved paths without defects, enabling lightweight structures for aerospace and automotive. Their work has evolved from fibre-steering for aero-structures to automotive lightweighting, hydrogen pressure vessels, and now next-generation aerospace components. As a University of Bristol spin-out with strong IP, they have progressed from R&D to commercial deployment.

CCm Research is a cleantech company specialising in carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology to produce zero-carbon fertilisers. Their core technology captures CO2 from industrial emissions and integrates it with organic waste materials (including anaerobic digestate, biochar, and livestock manure) to create stable, nutrient-rich fertilisers that sequester carbon in soil. Over their grant history, they have progressed from pilot-scale demonstrations to commercial-scale production, with field trials showing equivalent crop yields to conventional fertilisers while significantly reducing ammonia emissions and runoff.

SP Manweb is a major electricity distribution network operator focused on the modernisation and decarbonisation of regional energy infrastructure. The company collaborates extensively with academic, public sector, and industrial partners to develop smart grid solutions, multi-vector energy systems, and advanced power electronics. Their work has evolved from early-stage feasibility studies in local energy exchange to leading large-scale, multi-year beta deployments aimed at enhancing grid resilience and facilitating the integration of low-carbon technologies.

SP Transmission is a major electricity network operator responsible for the transmission infrastructure in central and southern Scotland. The company focuses on large-scale grid modernisation, decarbonisation of energy systems, and the integration of renewable energy sources through advanced digital and physical engineering solutions. Their work involves significant collaboration with academic and industry partners to improve grid resilience, cybersecurity, and the efficiency of infrastructure deployment.

Shell is a global energy and petrochemical company that develops integrated solutions for energy transition, decarbonisation, and sustainable industrial growth. Their work focuses on large-scale infrastructure projects, carbon capture, and the development of industrial clusters to achieve net-zero emissions. They collaborate extensively across sectors to transition traditional heavy industries toward cleaner, sustainable operational models.

Edinburgh Napier University is a research-intensive institution that leverages its academic expertise to drive industrial innovation through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and collaborative R&D. Their work spans cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and advanced mobility, focusing on translating complex research into practical, secure, and sustainable solutions for public and private sector partners. The university has evolved from traditional academic research into a key engine for regional and national innovation, particularly in digital trust, automated transport, and social impact technologies.

Pivot Power develops scalable solutions for EV charging, battery storage, and heat networks by connecting directly to transmission substations and applying machine learning for grid optimisation. Their single large-scale demonstrator project in Oxford aims to unlock private investment for a nationwide network of similar sites.

A&P Falmouth Limited is a major UK ship repair and conversion specialist that has evolved from participating in collaborative tidal energy research to leading large-scale infrastructure projects for maritime decarbonisation. The company leverages its extensive port facilities to integrate clean shore power technologies, supporting both commercial shipping and Ministry of Defence vessels. Their work focuses on reducing port-side emissions and noise pollution through the deployment of flexible, zero-carbon energy systems.