Sector-leading Scots 3D printing start-up and St Andrews Business Club member, Angus 3D Solutions Ltd, is set to help deliver up to £1 billion of benefits to the economy of Scotland by bringing cutting-edge F1 technology to Scotland for the first time thanks to a £175,000 grant from Zero Waste Scotland.
Last year global manufacturing veteran Andy Simpson was invited to make a presentation to Zero Waste Scotland and CEED on how additive manufacturing can aid the circular economy. He explained this can be done by reducing waste in the design process and extending the lifespan of machinery by allowing obsolete parts to be manufactured from 3D scans – cheaper, faster and using less input materials than traditional manufacturing.
Zero Waste Scotland was so impressed it invited Andy to apply for a grant from its Circular Economy Investment Fund – part of the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme, supported by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund – to buy the world’s most advanced metal printing machine, the Markforged Metal X. The fund provides funding and support for SMEs in Scotland to be more resource-efficient and create a more circular economy.
The machine uses the latest Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) technology – where metal powders are encased in plastic binders which are then melted off – to create objects with unprecedented levels of detail as well as faster than ever. It’s believed the only machines in the UK to date are owned by a Formula One team and universities. None are available for external commercial use.
Circular economy
The machine, expected to arrive at the Brechin start-up in December, will be used to make new components for industries as diverse as oil and gas, medical and satellites and in the reverse engineering of obsolete parts. It’s expected to help the business gain new clients as well as aid the growth of the circular economy in Scottish manufacturing.
A circular economy is a greener alternative to the traditional linear economy – where we make, use and dispose of items – in which we keep precious resources in use for as long as possible. The benefits include: creating opportunities for growth; reducing manufacturing waste; higher resource productivity; a more competitive economy; reducing the environmental impacts of production and consumption and positioning Scotland better to address emerging global resource security and scarcity.
Angus 3D Solutions’ grant is one of three cited by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this morning as being part of a programme which could unlock up to £1 billion potential value in the economies of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Tayside by boosting the circular economy according to reports commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland written by independent consultants with the help of the local chambers of commerce.
Speaking at the Zero Waste Scotland Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland event, Ms Sturgeon said: “These reports show the exciting potential of a circular economy where reducing waste and investing in keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible can release an estimated £1 billion of economic opportunities for Tayside, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. This demonstrates the overall scale of the opportunity for Scotland.
“It’s great to see projects like Total Homes, Revive Eco and Angus 3D embracing our circular economy and getting maximum value from resources. This £700,000 investment will help these businesses re-use and repurpose products which will benefit communities by creating jobs and reducing emissions.
Leading the way
“Scotland is already leading the way with its ambitious and challenging targets for recycling which are above and beyond the EU targets. However, we want the narrative to move beyond recycling to re-use, repair and remanufacturing of items. In this light, we are currently considering next steps for introducing a deposit return scheme which will help us achieve our ambitions.”
Speaking about the grant win and its consequences, Andy Simpson said: “I’m naturally delighted we’ve received this funding award from Zero Waste Scotland, because it will help our clients and the Scottish manufacturing industry develop their circular economy.
“Scotland has an impressive manufacturing history. To maintain and further develop this we must embrace the latest additive manufacturing technology and making it accessible, and therefore encourage the next generation to look at manufacturing as a career choice.”
“We can do this by bringing the latest additive manufacturing technology to Scotland and making it accessible to all industries and individuals. This grant will enable that.
“We’re already excited about how this machine will enable us to better support inventors, designers, SMEs and manufacturers in Scotland and beyond.”
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic the work that’s being done in Scotland to kickstart the circular economy. Businesses like Angus 3D Solutions are already doing great things, and I hope our event will be an impetus for even more ambition.
“Our Circular Economy Investment Fund is helping to bring exciting new ideas to market and we are seeing ever greater interest from private backers, who recognise that the future is circular. The challenges in building a circular economy are big but they are only matched by the potential benefits to businesses, which could be up to £1 billion in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and Tayside alone.”
For more information about the circular economy and Angus 3D Solutions, go to its website at www.angus3dsolutions.co.uk
