Renowned research centre accelerates net zero journey for Flintshire businesses 

From mapping energy usage to enhancing STEM knowledge throughout the supply chain, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru has taken companies across Flintshire one step closer to net zero. 

Building upon the work of the Deeside Decarbonisation Forum, with support from Mace, AMRC Cymru have developed key technologies through its Flintshire Sustainable Decarbonised Future (FAST) programme informing and empowering all sectors to accelerate their transition to net zero.

With Wales bidding to become net zero by 2050, this project received £562,133 from the UK government through Flintshire’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to help achieve this. Part of the project involved helping eight businesses within the county transform their operations. 

Utilising bespoke software from digital technology consultancy Razor, AMRC Cymru created a low-cost sensor box and an interactive dashboard to accurately measure up to 200amps of electricity on a variety of equipment. 

Over the course of nine months, the innovative tools highlighted areas and processes within all the companies to reduce energy consumption and increase overall operational efficiency, including:

• Precision engineering services provider Crabb Engineering, which measured two individual machining centres, noting the potential to reduce up to 50 per cent of idle power usage at the weekends, saving approximately £1,200 per month.
• Electrical engineering business LCA Group, which determined the power usage of a complex laser cutting process and identified how to reduce its total energy usage by nearly 20 per cent. 
• Pharmaceutical company Sterling Pharma Solutions, which calculated the energy needs of its large environment handling units that is set to generate savings of more than £30,000 per year.

Crabb Engineering operations director Josh Fox said: “As a business that is open 24/7, it is essential to avoid downtime, so the software from the AMRC has been fantastic in highlighting when a machine is in decline, as it allows us to repair or replace it as soon as possible.

“Seeing the amount of power used by each machine has also been invaluable in helping us understand what we could do to make our business processes more environmentally friendly in the future.

“Overall, the knowledge and expertise of the AMRC team has been great in aiding an improvement in operations and I couldn’t recommend them enough.” 

Rachael Kopanski, project manager at AMRC Cymru, part of the University of Sheffield, said: “With a focus on achieving net zero by 2050, we are proud to have played a key part in helping businesses across Flintshire prepare for a greener future.

“The AMRC team was brilliant at understanding the challenges each beneficiary faced and, thanks to our collaboration with Razor, provided a long-lasting innovative tool we believe will stand each firm in good stead.

“Ultimately, utilising the financial support from the UKSPF has been invaluable in enabling us to deliver this project and we are grateful for the backing we received from the UK Government and Flintshire County Council.”

Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: “Transforming our economy to operate sustainably is fundamental to its longevity, and the FAST project is testament to what our region’s businesses can achieve when they access expert insight and solutions.  

“I look forward to seeing even greater changes to companies across Flintshire as a result of AMRC Cymru’s work.”