ReMake Value Retention Centre (RVRC) | Circular Innovation for Industry

Current design practices often prioritise replacement over ReMake, with circular design principles still not fully embedded in new systems. In high-tech industries, circular solutions remain basic, and conventional methods hinder the extension of product lifespans. Additionally, limitations in data-driven approaches, interoperability, and data structures restrict traceability and requalification, ultimately affecting life extension.

Embed ReMake design principles and apply advanced ReMake technology methods to ensure high-integrity products are built for extended lifespans, reuse, and remanufacturing. Also develop data driven approaches across the lifecycle.

Novel repair and remanufacturing techniques
Composites high value recycling and repair
High value recycling Field Assisted Sintering Technology ( FAST)
In process inspection non-destructive testing (NDT) and metrology techniques
Digital Product passport
Design for ReX

Stephen Fitzpatrick

Director - Remake Value Retention Centre
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

As Director of the Digital Factory at NMIS, Stephen leads a team of 65 engineers and scientists driving innovation in manufacturing. The team focuses on Digital Manufacturing, Design Engineering, Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing, Robotics, and Metrology Systems. Passionate about the circular economy, Stephen develops solutions to extend product life and optimize circular opportunities using digital technologies. Stephen is the Principal Investigator on £15 million of UKRI-funded projects, including the £10.5 million 'Remake Value Retention Centre' and the £4.5 million 'ReMake' project. Stephen is a Fellow of the IMechE and serves on several strategic advisory and standards committees.

Professor Brad Wynne

Director - Advanced Forming Research Centre
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

Brad Wynne, Director of AFRC, previously served as the AFRC Research Director. Before joining the AFRC, he spent over 20 years at the University of Sheffield as a professor and senior lecturer. Brad holds a PhD in Metallurgy from Monash University and specializes in materials science and engineering, focusing on advanced metals for the aerospace and nuclear industries. Brad and his team at AFRC collaborate with companies like Rolls-Royce, Boeing, BAE Systems, and Sheffield Forgemasters.

Pritty Mathew

Design Engineer
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

Pritty is a Design Engineer at NMIS, working within the Market Acceptance theme of the Design Engineering team. She holds a Master’s degree in Product Design Engineering and is passionate about embedding circular economy principles into product development. During her time at NMIS, Pritty has played a key role in developing practical circular design tools, including the Remanufacturing Canvas and the Design for Remake framework, both now key tools in guiding sustainable design. Pritty is currently involved in further developing and piloting these tools with industry partners. Her work focuses on enabling designers to integrate sustainability and circularity into the design process through practical frameworks and clear, actionable guidance.

Professor Martin Jackson

Professor of Advanced Metals Processing
University of Sheffield

Martin's research focuses on the impact of solid-state processes on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties in light alloys, especially titanium. He aims to revolutionize titanium alloy economics through non-melt consolidation routes like the FFC Process, FAST-forge, and continuous rotary extrusion. With over 80 publications, Martin received a RAEng/EPSRC Fellowship in 2005 and the IOM3 Ti Prize in 2003. He collaborates with industry leaders such as VW, Rolls-Royce, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, TiMET, and DSTL.

Catherine Yokan

Senior R&D Engineer
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

As a Senior R&D Engineer within NMIS’s Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, Catherine leads industrial research projects in Lightweighting, specializing in polymers and fibre-reinforced composites. Her expertise spans composite design and requirement identification to material testing, process optimization, and end-of-life analysis. With her degrees in physics and production engineering, Catherine brings a unique perspective to the world of materials and manufacturing and has gained extensive experience previously at 3M Company, NASA, and Fraunhofer Institute IFAM. Currently Catherine leads development of the Composites Recycling demonstrator for RVRC, driving value retention of end-of-life composite materials.

Professor Gareth Pierce

Director and founder of SEARCH laboratory
University of Strathclyde

Professor Gareth Pierce leads a multidisciplinary team at Strathclyde University, including engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and bioengineers. He fosters collaborative research with international academic partners and industry sectors, emphasizing a person-centred leadership approach. As Co-Director of the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, his work focuses on robotics and autonomous systems for inspection, non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E), and structural health monitoring (SHM). His research integrates robotics, instrumentation, applied optics, ultrasonics, 3D metrology, and machine learning, aligning with Industry 4.0 principles. He excels in translating university research into industry applications and holds several notable roles, including Founder and Director of the SEARCH laboratory.

Aasiya Thabassum

Data Engineer
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

As a Data Engineer at NMIS, Aasiya contributes to the design and delivery of cloud-based data platforms that enable cross-institute collaboration and digital manufacturing innovation. Her expertise includes cloud infrastructure, data engineering, and large-scale data integration, with a focus on building scalable, secure, and efficient Lakehouse architectures. With experience in enterprise cloud migration and data governance, she brings a systems-level perspective to solving digital infrastructure challenges. Currently, she supports the development of secure data sharing frameworks and infrastructure strategy for the NMIS Digital Ecosystem.

Professor Charles MacLeod

Co-Director and founder of SEARCH laboratory
University of Strathclyde

Professor Charles MacLeod is a leading figure in the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering. He holds the Babcock International Group / Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Sensor-Driven Automated Welding and directs the £24M SEARCH lab. As Course Director of the ARIS MSc, his research focuses on enhancing high-value asset manufacturing through in-process welding and metal additive projects. Charles has co-developed key robotic and ultrasonic technologies now licensed by industry and created an innovative inspection robot for Sellafield. He also leads the ERIC STEM Outreach cell. His expertise spans non-destructive evaluation, sensors, automation, and robotics.

Dr Andreas Reimer

Senior ReMake Theme Lead
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of Strathclyde

Andreas Reimer is a Strategic Program Lead and Manufacturing R&D Engineer at NMIS, specializing in machining optimization, additive manufacturing, and remanufacturing. He holds an EngD from the University of Strathclyde, focusing on high-speed die machining processes. Andreas previously served as a Research Assistant at the University of Magdeburg. As a Chartered Engineer, he leads the ReMake Glasgow project, integrating circular economy principles across industry value chains. Andreas has secured substantial funding, managed diverse teams, and driven advancements in sustainable manufacturing technologies. He collaborates closely with academic staff to translate research into impactful manufacturing solutions.

Platform 1: Embedding value retention design and technologies

Challenge

Goal

Key themes

Team Members