2. Biz Network July_Aug 2025 37-52.qxp_Chamberlink 27/06/2025 10:41 Page 41
BUSINESS NETWORK
Manufacturers learn about the benefits of KTPs
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embers of the Leicester and Leicestershire branch of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network gained an insight into the potential benefits of knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) between industry and academia. The quarterly meeting in the De Montfort University Innovation Centre heard about benefits for industry ranging from gaining tens of thousands of pounds of expertise for projects, to using state-of-theart university facilities and being eligible for R&D tax credits.
‘There’s very little the programme can’t give you advice on’ The national KTP scheme is funded by Innovate UK, and while both of Leicester’s universities offer the service, regional businesses can look to universities anywhere in the country for help. Businesses can gain up to £90,000 to £100,000 of support a year, and the universities benefit by staff and researchers gaining onthe-job experience with industry. Stuart Hilton, head of commercial partnerships at De Montfort, told the network meeting that KTPs had been running for 50 years, and DUM success stories included ensuring chemicals used in NHS garment cleaning were safe,
Stuart Hilton
L-R: Jade Lewin-Patel, research chemist at Structural Adhesives, KTP associate Morgan Bates and Structural Adhesives managing director Angela Orton
designing and making a hijab which is safe for women police officers to wear on the streets, and using hemp to develop flameretardant upholstery. He said: “There’s very little the programme can’t give you advice on because it’s probably been asked about it before. “Universities love KTPs because they help us as well as the partner companies. It’s applied science – finding a problem and finding a way to help.” Angela Orton is managing director of Leicester-based Structural Adhesives, which develops high-performance bonding for clients around the world in areas such as construction, aerospace, automotive. The business was recently awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its pioneering work in fire-rated adhesive technology, cementing its reputation as a leader in the field.
She spoke about how her company was benefitting from a two-year KTP with Leicester University – valued at £200,000 – which included developing “debondable” adhesives which can be unstuck later down the line to allow the things they hold together – such as high-tech instruments – to be easily taken apart and recycled. The business is currently looking at ways of applying that to space missions, so components can be easily removed and fixed in space. She said: “We’re working with the University of Leicester as a springboard to build our R&D, and we’ve worked with Loughborough on past products. “The relationship is almost like osmosis, with the benefits going both ways – we’re learning a lot and our KTP associate Morgan Bates is learning a lot too because of the shared opportunities for both of us.
“We’re now looking into areas we would not necessarily have looked at because it has given us the knowledge and understanding to start looking at space. “Debondable adhesives, which is what the KTP covers, have the potential to be used with rare earth metals that go into critical electronics, which are currently hard to remove and recycle because of the epoxy they are embedded in. “Debondable adhesives can replace that, and can also be used in automotive and aerospace. It’s a common-sense solution and if you imagine the cost of sending something to space, it could mean you can mend it in situ.” Innovate UK has supported more than 14,000 business through KTPs and invests £50m a year in the programme with 800 projects currently running. For future EMMN meetings visit emmn.co.uk
MEMBER PROFILE: DALES FABRICATIONS Dales Fabrications, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has been involved in the design and manufacture of aluminium building products since it was founded by Frank Dales in 1977. It is now run by directors Colin Dales, Andy Purdy, Nicola Chambers, and Tom Strickland and has 39 employees, specialising in everything from producing eaves systems, solar shading, copings and rainscreen cladding. Although experienced in their field, the Dales Fabrications team had limited experience in networking with other businesses in the region, so managing director Andy Purdy and finance director Nicola Chambers joined the East Midlands Manufacturing Network
(EMMN) when the Derby group started in 2022. Dales Fabrications has actively engaged with EMMN through regular attendance at Derby forums and the regional meeting – and both Andy and Nicola have said
they find value in attending the meetings together, using them as a platform to exchange ideas and reflect on business strategies. Through these meetings the team has also built trusted connections, including with Derby
College which has helped them identify tailored apprenticeship programs and supported recruitment efforts. Additionally, Nicola learned about Erewash Council’s R&D grant opportunity through EMMN, which has resulted in significant funding for new capital equipment. The company has also benefited from attending Accelerator training workshops and webinars, which have enhanced leadership, management, HR practices, and sustainability efforts across the business. As Chamber members, Dales Fabrications has used various business services provided to members, further bolstering their operations. July/August 2025 business network
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