Queen’s University opens £100m manufacturing innovation centre

Queen’s University Belfast has officially opened the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Global Point in Newtownabbey. The facility represents a nearly £100 million investment facilitated through the Belfast Region City Deal.

AMIC is designed to support the advanced manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland by providing businesses with access to specialist engineering expertise and cutting-edge technologies. Key areas of focus include robotics, automation, advanced materials, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and advanced metrology. The centre aims to address challenges related to productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

The project is expected to have significant economic impacts, including the creation of up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland and a projected £1.3 billion contribution to the economy. Additionally, the centre intends to support the training of 300 apprentices by 2050. Current initiatives include Project 4WARD, a £9.5 million project focused on advancing welding automation in partnership with several industrial firms.