More than 100 food and drink manufacturers, academics and engineering professionals have met to create an industry-driven vision for the new Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering.

The National Centre of Excellence will be a world-class facility built specifically to support industry growth through improvements in manufacturing capability.

The centre will provide innovative engineering solutions through industry-led collaborative projects, including advances in solutions for energy and waste efficiencies along with a whole range of pre-competitive priorities to support the food and drink manufacturing industry in realising its growth potential.

The Centre will become a leading education provider offering students and the existing engineering workforce exposure to state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology.

Bridging the food industry's research gap

Melanie Leech, Director General at Food and Drink Federation said: 'The new Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering at Sheffield Hallam is a standout example of how manufacturers, government and academics can collaborate to bridge the food industry's research gap. The shared vision and priorities that we have developed today will make this world-class facility a focal point for research and innovation excellence for the UK's largest manufacturing sector.

'We have been delighted by the level of support we have received and by the commitment by food and drink manufacturers so far. This event has proven to be an excellent opportunity to help shape the future of the new Centre of Excellence and inspire the next generation of engineering talent.'

Roger Eccleston, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the College of Business, Technology and Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University said: 'The new centre of excellence for food and drink engineering at Sheffield Hallam will play a key role in developing advanced engineering capability for the food and drink industry, providing a major competitive advantage to this important sector.

Keeping the UK ahead in the global market

'The centre will support the industry to develop and implement new and enhanced facilities, processes and equipment, to keep the UK ahead in a very competitive sector. It will also enhance the development of a highly educated workforce through staff development and support.

'This project builds on the University's experience of excellent research and developing high quality partnerships with industry.'

Find out more

To find out more about the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering click here.

The National Centre of Excellence at Sheffield Hallam University builds on the launch of the UK's first food engineering degree. For further information, visit www.foodengineer.co.uk. The MEng Food Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University has been developed by Graduate Excellence, a partnership between the Food and Drink Federation, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and Sheffield Hallam University.