Plans for Scotland’s first manufacturing research centre of its kind in Irvine are now pushing ahead.

The digital processing manufacturing centre (DPMC) is to built at the i3 Business Park in the town by 2025.

The project involving Strathclyde University aims to help businesses get access to new technology, products, energy efficiency and other improvements.

Labour’s Alex Gallagher, cabinet member for economy, said: “This is really groundbreaking for Scotland.

“This is different from any of the other things we have tried to do – the traditional economic and employment boosts. It has a different shape, aim and ambition from anything we have done. I’m really excited by this.”

Partners include Strathclyde University, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).

Councillors signed off a number of measures to get the project kickstarted at a North Ayrshire Council cabinet recently including an online presence this year. Next financial year a pilot phase is to start up within an existing building at i3. The centre is to be built and up and running by 2025 if proposals progress. 

A total of £6million has been allocated from the Ayrshire Growth Deal but additional funding is needed according to a council paper. 

Speaking at cabinet, Council leader Joe Cullinane, Labour, said: “I think this is a really exciting project for us. It has been in development for quite some time and it is good to see the other partners are showing that level of commitment. We are really looking forward to seeing this progressing through the various phases in the near future.” 

A council report said: “The Digital Processing Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) will demonstrate, develop, and deliver digital technology to support the UK’s process manufacturing sectors to adapt to digital processes.”