An £8.9 million centre in Renfrew to help companies benefit from lightweight manufacturing technology has been officially opened by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre will develop lighter components for high-value industries, including automotive and aerospace.

It also has the potential to benefit other enterprises that are looking to replace traditional manufacturing processes and materials with the next generation of innovative solutions.

Operated by the University of Strathclyde, the new centre is the first stage of a £65 million project to establish a National Manufacturing Institute Scotland — intended to make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

Opening the centre, which is temporarily located in the Doosan Babcock facility in Renfrew, the First Minister said:

“Our ambition is to build on Scotland’s long history of innovation and to be seen as modern inventors and producers, rather than just consumers of goods.

"It is really important, as technology rapidly advances, that our economy must follow suit. This world-class centre will help us do just that, as the first stage of our new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.

"Businesses across Scotland will benefit from access to ‘state of the art’ equipment and opportunities for collaboration and R&D.”

Sir Jim McDonald, principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “Lightweighting technology holds huge promise for a wide range of sectors, from making aircraft and vehicles lighter and more energy-efficient to improving the performance of renewable-energy technology and developing the next generation of materials for health-care.

"The new centre provides the skills and services needed to place Scottish industry at the forefront of lightweight manufacturing, helping companies of all sizes to compete globally.”