UK low-carbon technology to have a 'strong presence' in Japan

Seven British-based firms are heading to Japan later this month to showcase the UK’s expertise in in low-carbon technology.

They will take part in the Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE) Engineering Conference, which annually brings together key players in the next generation of vehicle design and production, with low-carbon technology high on the agenda this year.

Each of the firms have received funding for their research through Innovate UK – previously called the Technology Strategy Board – as part of its Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform.

The participating UK-based companies are: Advanced Innovative Engineering (AIE), Artemis Intelligent Power, MIRA, Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Productiv, Romax Technology and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

Paul Gadd, programme manager for the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform at Innovate UK, said: “Having such a strong presence shows the real strength of UK technical capability in the low carbon vehicle area, and the demand for this capability in the global market.”

Engineering and test centre MIRA will be debuting a demonstrator and presenting its research for the Hydrogen for Long Range Electric Vehicle project.

“Co-funded by Innovate UK, this collaborative project features the world’s first automotive application of hydrogen produced on-demand from stabilised ammonia borane. This advanced technology minimises the on-vehicle quantity of gaseous hydrogen, allowing simple, low cost distribution without requiring a high pressure hydrogen infrastructure,” said MIRA commercial manager, Asia Pacific, Ben Reynolds.

He added: “It promises to be a fantastic event and we are looking forward to coming home with some superb new contacts and business leads.”