REACT sustainable electronics centre celebrates official launch
Published: 20 May 2025
The UK’s first sustainable electronics centre was officially launched last month with two events and the inaugural meeting of its steering board.
The UK’s first sustainable electronics centre was officially launched last month with two events and the inaugural meeting of its steering board.
The Responsible Electronics and Circular Technology Centre (REACT), led by the University of Glasgow, welcomed visitors to campus on Thursday 24 April.
REACT, launched in October 2024, is backed by more than £6m in funding from UK Research & Innovation and industry partners. It is one of five Green Economy Centres which are seeking to find new ways to make industries more sustainable.
A collaborative initiative spanning the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, REACT’s vision is to set a new standard for sustainable electronics design and manufacturing, anchored by a world-class, system-level demonstrator across Scotland’s central belt.
REACT aims to empower companies and research partners to adopt sustainable electronics technologies, unlock new market opportunities, and build a competitive edge in the growing circular economy.
The official opening of the Centre was marked by two events which brought together academics and industry experts. Professor Eric Yeatman, head of the University of Glasgow’s College of Science & Engineering, marked the occasion with a speech to the audience.
At the Responsible Innovation for Electronics workshop, guests discussed challenges and opportunities across sustainable electronics, including design and manufacturing, regulation and policy, market trends, investment and financial incentives.
Attendees also had the chance to hear from guest speakers including circular economy consultant Sarah Downes; Trevor Hinchcliffe, innovations technical manager at Impact Solutions; ST Microelectronics’ technology development manager Robert Nicol, and Justine Scullion, WEEE Scotland’s business strategy manager.
In parallel with the event, REACT’s steering board also met for the first time. The board brings together 20 expert members from across the semiconductor and recycling sectors, as well as international research programmes. Together, they offer expert review and advice while expanding REACT’s network across academia, industry, and policy.
During the meeting, the board received updates on research progress, programme management, and future plans. Their feedback provided critical guidance on REACT’s strategic direction and upcoming initiatives.
To conclude the day, guests were welcomed to the REACT Centre’s showcase reception, featuring live demonstrations, poster presentations, and networking opportunities with researchers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
Professor Jeff Kettle, of the University of Glasgow's James Watt School of Engineering, is REACT's principal investigator. He said: "We were delighted to welcome academic colleagues, industry partners and decisionmakers to the University for the official launch of REACT.
“Together, we’re working to make real changes to how electronics and designed, manufactured and recycled across the UK to reduce the sector’s significant environmental impact.”
The James Watt School of Engineering's Dr Mahmoud Wagih is deputy PI and co-director of REACT. He said: “The technologies we’re developing, and the partnerships we’re building, will help to demonstrate that high-performance electronics can be part of the circular economy we need to build in order to reach net-zero.
“It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of our partners and guests for this vitally important work, and the commitment with which the sector is working towards making electronics more sustainable.”
First published: 20 May 2025