The University of Glasgow has been selected to lead the newly established Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies Centre (REACT), a £5.5 million initiative aimed at promoting
sustainable practices in the electronics industry. Announced on 7 October 2024, REACT is the UK’s first dedicated sustainable electronics centre.
This project is part of the £25 million UKRI Accelerating the Green Economy programme, which funds five new centres across the UK. The four-year initiative involves collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and the Compound Semiconductor Catapult based in Scotland.
The electronics sector in Scotland is significant, comprising over 130 companies employing 10,300 people, with an annual turnover exceeding £2.8 billion.
The REACT team brings expertise in areas such as electronic materials, design, manufacturing, environmental impact, supply chain management, and business models. The centre also plans to work with local SMEs to develop demonstrators, create market-driven solutions, and offer skills training.
The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Glasgow will support REACT by providing access to advanced equipment and expertise, helping integrate compound semiconductor technology. Photo by Michael D Beckwith, Wikimedia commons.