Advanced materials testing centre completed

Scientists developing materials for use in medicine, electronics and construction will be able to test them at a newly completed facility in Rochdale.

The centre aims to help researchers turn laboratory discoveries into commercially viable products and is expected to contribute £107m to the regional economy once fully operational.

The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), based at Kingsway Business Park next to the Metrolink stop, will be fitted out with specialist equipment before becoming fully operational in 2027.

Scientists at the SMMC will work with colleagues at the University of Manchester, a leading centre for advanced materials research.

Professor John Holden from the University of Manchester said: "We've got people inventing new materials all the time, and this facility will help scientists use those new materials in their businesses.

"The scientists will be able to test how strong their new material is, how it conducts electricity and how it weathers if you leave it outside in a real-world setting."

The 'wonder material' graphene was discovered at the university in 2004, but its development has been held back due to the cost of producing it in large quantities.

Julie Murphy, chief executive of Rochdale Council, said: "The whole vision is that advanced manufacturing business will be established on vacant land around the SMMC, creating an innovation district around the building.

"We're trying to give the most talented children in our schools the aspiration to go away to a leading university and then come back to work in Rochdale."

The SMMC is the first major development in the Atom Valley district, which it is hoped will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs on land close to the M62 in Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.

Atom Valley is one of Greater Manchester's Mayoral Development Zones where devolved powers can be used to drive private-sector investment.

Paul Ormerod, chair of the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, said: "The idea is to develop a cluster of advanced manufacturing companies, creating high-paid jobs.

"It's basically a project to revive the economies of Oldham, Rochdale and Bury, so they can share in the prosperity of places like Manchester and Salford."

There are also plans for the Atom Valley project to be underpinned by a new tram-train line connecting Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Oldham.