Businesses in the UK that produce and process materials have an annual turnover of around £170 billion.

They contribute about 15% of UK GDP, with a gross value-added (GVA) of around £60 billion, and form an important element in the supply chain of many high value manufacturing businesses.

Key market sectors which rely on, or are strongly underpinned by, advanced materials technology include:

• Energy
• Aerospace
• Transport (Land and Marine)
• Healthcare
• Packaging
• Textiles
• Construction
• Defence
• Security