Clean Growth & Infrastructure R&D Companies UK

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is the UK's leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. It accelerates the development and commercialisation of offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy technologies by bridging the gap between research and industry. Its work has evolved from foundational infrastructure support to leading complex, multi-sectoral consortia focused on decarbonising the maritime sector and advancing circular economy practices in renewable energy.

Rolls-Royce SMR is a specialised energy technology company focused on the design and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to provide low-carbon, baseload electricity. The company leverages advanced nuclear engineering to create scalable, factory-built power plants that support national decarbonisation targets. Their work centres on the industrialisation of nuclear power generation through modular manufacturing techniques.

Glass Futures is a research and technology organisation (RTO) that operates a world-leading, open-access facility in St Helens dedicated to decarbonising the foundation industries. By providing industrial-scale pilot infrastructure, they enable the testing and validation of low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification for glass, steel, and ceramics manufacturing. Their work bridges the critical gap between laboratory-scale research and commercial deployment, facilitating industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency.

Equinor New Energy is a major energy company focused on the development of large-scale industrial decarbonisation infrastructure within the UK. Their work centres on the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and hydrogen production networks to transition carbon-intensive industrial clusters toward net zero. By collaborating with cross-sector industrial partners, they facilitate the deployment of critical infrastructure required to secure the future of the UK's industrial heartlands.

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.

Swansea University is a leading Welsh research institution that serves as a critical hub for translational R&D, bridging the gap between academic discovery and industrial application. Their work spans diverse domains including advanced materials, renewable energy, life sciences, and digital technologies, often acting as a key technical partner in collaborative consortia. The university consistently leverages its research expertise to support the UK's net zero ambitions, circular economy initiatives, and regulatory science frameworks.

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.

Rolls-Royce Power Engineering is a large-scale engineering firm specialising in the development of advanced nuclear power solutions, specifically focusing on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. Their work integrates digital modelling, modular factory production, and waste reduction strategies to deliver cost-competitive, low-carbon energy infrastructure. The company leads complex industrial consortia to advance the commercial viability of next-generation nuclear power stations.

Connected Energy develops energy storage systems using second-life electric vehicle batteries, focusing on grid stability and renewable integration. Their work has evolved from large-scale smart local energy system demonstrators to advanced battery reuse, recycling, and port infrastructure projects, aiming to create a circular economy for EV batteries.

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.

Cadent Gas is the UK's largest gas distribution network operator, managing the infrastructure that delivers gas to millions of homes and businesses. Their R&D focus has evolved from traditional network maintenance to pioneering the transition to low-carbon energy, with a heavy emphasis on hydrogen storage, biomethane integration, and digital network modelling. They leverage extensive collaborative partnerships to solve complex infrastructure challenges and support the UK's Net Zero targets.

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.