The Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies Centre (REACT) is one of five new centres announced across the UK which will share in £25 million from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) £25 million Accelerating the Green Economy programme.
The programme is part of UKRI’s Building a Green Future strategic theme, which aims to accelerate the green economy by supporting research and innovation that unlocks solutions essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050. It is one of five UKRI strategic themes aiming to harness the full power of the UK’s research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges.
REACT is the UK’s first sustainable electronics centre. It will drive the transition to net-zero electronics, addressing both the environmental and economic challenges faced by the industry, while promoting the adoption of green technologies through collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.
The University of Glasgow will lead and coordinate the four-year project in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Scotland.
Professor Jeff Kettle from the University of Glasgow, who will lead and coordinate the REACT Hub, said: “The centre will unite leading researchers to drive the industry’s transition toward a net-zero economy. Its primary focus will be developing solutions to reduce electronic waste, minimise reliance on critical raw materials (CRMs), and reduce carbon footprints.”
The REACT team brings extensive expertise across various areas, including electronic materials, design, manufacturing, and assembly, environmental impact, supply chain management, and business modelling.
Professor Bing Xu of Heriot-Watt University said: “REACT will leverage its partnerships to translate research into practical applications, boosting both the region’s and the UK’s global competitiveness in the sector.”
REACT will collaborate with SMEs in the region to develop demonstrators and market-led solutions and provide skills training.
Prof Jason Love of the University of Edinburgh said: “REACT will bring together industrial partners as well as the supply chain of companies and proactively communicate to the wider public, driving change at a governmental level.”
The Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Scotland will also work on the project, providing access to cutting-edge equipment and world-class expertise to support start-ups, SMEs, large organisations, and academia in advancing compound semiconductor technology integration.
REACT’s work will offer key benefits, including reductions in e-waste, improved energy efficiency, and cost savings by adopting greener manufacturing processes. Additionally, REACT will play a crucial role in fostering public-private partnerships to drive these innovations, focusing on co-creation, outreach, and advocacy.