Construction firm Laing O’Rourke has successfully handed over the first phase of the new £60m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at The University of Manchester
The GEIC will focus on industry-led application development in partnership with world-leading academics, accelerating the commercial pace of graphene and 2D materials in Manchester and globally.
This is the first project Laing O’Rourke has completed as part of The University of Manchester Construction Partnering Framework, with the next project, the £105m building in Manchester for the Henry Royce Institute due to complete in 2019.
Liam Cummins, head of UK building for Laing O’Rourke, said: “We’re delighted to hand over this fantastic facility on time and on budget for The University of Manchester and its funding partners.
“As an engineering enterprise committed to innovation and excellence in our own delivery, it is exciting to think about the potential developments that will come to fruition here at the GEIC and I know our team are rightfully proud of our achievements.
“It’s also exciting to have completed our first project as part of The University of Manchester Construction Partnering Framework and we’re keen to take the momentum into our next project on the framework; The Sir Henry Royce Institute.”
The new GEIC flagship facility has been funded by Masdar-an Abu Dhabi based renewable energy and clean technology company, Research England, the European Regional Development Fund, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Innovate UK. It has been designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Vinoly and is 8,400 square metres in size.
The GEIC complements the existing National Graphene Institute (NGI) creating a critical mass of graphene expertise made up of scientists, engineers, innovators and industrialists.
The GEIC is also encouraging the commercial development of the University’s North Campus, creating a cornerstone for Graphene City.
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester said: “The GEIC is a key component of the University’s strategy for Graphene@Manchester. The centre’s aim is to accelerate the commercialisation to real-world applications to transition graphene and other 2D materials from the lab to the marketplace.”
