Tata Steel UK’s research and development centre has signed a deal to return to independent ownership.
The centre, in Grangetown, has become the Material Processing Institute, which is set to become the UK’s centre for industrial materials research and plans to open its doors to companies outside of the steel sector, to make use of its research and development facilities.
The centre was first founded almost 70 years ago and evolved to become the research and development arm, firstly of British Steel and more recently Tata Steel. It means it will now be a stand-alone, not-for-profit organisation.
In September, members of Unite, the country’s largest union, threatened industrial action if the move was made and staff were no longer employed by Tata.
National officer Paul Reuter said at the time: “Our members have a strong wish to remain employed by Tata Steel UK and not be employed by Materials Processing Institute, an arm’s length organisation.
“The basis for this is that our members feel their terms and conditions will be best protected by maintaining the identity of their current employer.”
Material Processing Institute Managing Director and CEO Mr Chris McDonald said: “This move makes the MPI more accessible across industry.
“The UK is a superb place to do research and it is always good to do it in an open, independent and collaborative way.
“Tata Steel very much wanted this approach and will continue to utilise MPI’s services substantially.
The Materials Processing Institute is also in partnership with several universities including Teesside.
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