NZTC announce new partnership with the Association of Innovation, Research and Technology Organisations

NZTC and AIRTO partner to accelerate net zero innovation and technology development in the North Sea.

• A unique partnership which will deepen collaboration between the oil & gas industry and the UK’s innovation, research and technology (IRT) sector
• The five-year partnership will focus on cross sectoral innovation to support delivery of the UK and Scotland’s net zero targets

NZTC and AIRTO (Association of Innovation, Research and Technology Organisations) have announced a new five-year partnership (effective 1 January 2021), aimed at strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration across the Innovation, Research & Technology sector in support of delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy and accelerating the transition towards net zero.

AIRTO is the principal membership organisation for UK’s Innovation, Research and Technology (IRT) sector. The sector employs over 57,000 scientific and technical staff, and contributes £34bn to UK GDP. Membership of AIRTO include academia and industry, for both private and public sector clients. They include independent research and technology organisations, catapult centres, public sector research establishments, national laboratories, university technology transfer offices and privately held innovation companies.

Through collaboration with NZTC , which has been a member of AIRTO since 2016, it is hoped to build closer links with allied organisations in the IRT sector to facilitate development and deployment of technology that will accelerate the transition to a net zero North Sea.

NZTC succeeds The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) as the host for AIRTO staff and activities. AIRTO staff will continue in their roles alongside the team at NZTC .

Commenting on the new partnership AIRTO’s Chair and CEO of National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) Paul Howarth FREng, said:
“I am delighted that AIRTO is entering into this new relationship with NZTC and look forward to working together to champion the UK’s innovation, research and technology sector – which has critical roles to play in delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy, developing essential innovations in technology to help us lead the world in reaching net zero and aiding our national economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

NZTC’s CEO, Colette Cohen, said:
“NZTC is committed to a net zero future for the UK, this new partnership with AIRTO will enable better cross sector collaboration focused on the delivery of that goal. Working together to accelerate UK-based investment in technology development and innovation targeting low carbon solutions, net zero technologies and alternative fuels – positioning the UK as a leader in the energy transition.”

AIRTO President, Steve Yianni FREng, commented:
“NPL has supported AIRTO superbly during its tenure, and we are very grateful for the contribution NPL has made to the evolution of our community. We look forward to continuing to advance our mission to support and champion the IRT sector for our members in partnership with NZTC .”