A new state-of-the-art research centre has been officially opened at Swansea University's Bay Campus.

First Minister for Wales, Rt Hon Mark Drakeford AM joined members of contractor Kier and Swansea University to mark the occasion.

This Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) centre will form part of the College of Engineering. The four-storey development has been built to BREEAM 'excellent' standards and comprises of two distinct areas; a large 1,600m2 open plan laboratory space and a research office building with 80 single occupancy offices, hub space for up to 150 researchers, meeting rooms and research hubs that are linked by a light-filled atrium.

Kier completed work on the project in May 2019 after an 18-month programme. 


Jason Taylor, operations director for Kier Regional Building in Wales, said: "We would like to thank the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford AM, for officially opening the IMPACT building at Swansea University. We are extremely proud to have delivered this centre of excellence that provides a first-class learning environment.  


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"Working collaboratively with Swansea University over the last 18 months, we have engaged with the local community and created jobs and provided training opportunities. We are delighted to have built this fantastic new facility that should have far-reaching benefits for the Swansea area for years to come."


Professor Johann Sienz, Director of Innovation and Engagement in the College, and Director of IMPACT, added: "IMPACT – anchored in the regional innovation ecosystem - supports the global engineering economy through collaborative, fundamental and applied research, development and innovation. Our unique colocation facility means we can offer a transformative research environment for academia-industry partnerships.

"We are honoured to have the First Minister launch what will be a world-leading operation. These highly specialised laboratories will bring industry and academia closer together and the funding received from the European Regional Development Fund has greatly contributed to our growth as a leader in our field in the UK and beyond.

"The distinct research infrastructure and ethos of IMPACT will enable a step change in research and innovation in the College's already outstanding Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies research groups.  This unique facility will, therefore, help further support Wales as a global destination for innovation in advanced engineering and smart manufacturing."

(CM/JG)