THE drive to establish a National Manufacturing Institute in Scotland received a massive boost after planning approval was secured for a facility in Renfrewshire.

Renfrew Council has given the go-ahead for a state-of-the-art facility to be developed on Netherton Campus at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.

The proposed National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) would be housed in a carbon-neutral building that is around one and a half times the size of Hampden football pitch. It would include a skills academy, fully-digitalised “factory of the future” and a collaboration hub.

It is envisaged that the institute will help and support manufacturing and engineering firms of all sizes and sectors, foster innovation and encourage business growth.

Economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Securing planning permission is a significant milestone for NMIS. It paves the way to start construction of the new facilities which will deliver the research, support and skills to help manufacturers unlock opportunities in emerging digital technologies and processes.

“NMIS will be an international centre of expertise where research, industry and the public sector will work together to make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing and attract investment.”

NMIS is operated by the University of Strathclyde and supported by Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council and Renfrewshire Council.