Exwold Technology is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Teesside University to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and the power of digital technology can further enhance its manufacturing capabilities.

The company has applied for support under the government’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme. Over the course of this two-year partnership, the project will pair Exwold’s chemical expertise with the University’s digital skills to create innovative support tools for the company’s production teams.

To support Exwold’s core business of contract chemical processing, the project will develop software that forecasts the outcome of chemical blends in advance. It will assess the ingredients, equipment settings and environmental conditions to give production teams a ‘heads-up’ on potential issues, ensuring consistent quality, batch after batch.

Kevin Martin, Managing Director of Exwold Technology, explains: “We are proud to once again engage with Teesside University on this exciting initiative. We are operating in a highly competitive global market, and to stay ahead, we need to provide our team with the best tools available and ensure our operations are robust.

“This partnership isn’t about changing who we are. It is a strategic investment to future-proof our facilities and ensure we continue to bring high-value manufacturing work to Teesside.”

Sam Price, Commercial Director of Exwold, explains: “From a production standpoint, it will be like a virtual test run for our chemical formulations. We can reduce the number of trials by using data to predict exactly how the ingredients will react before we even switch on our machinery. 

“Ultimately, this ‘right-first-time’ approach drastically reduces waste, a key sustainability goal, and ensures we can deliver for our clients with greater speed and consistency. It gives us a genuine competitive edge.”

With the anticipated growth the initiative will bring, Exwold predicts the technology will drive local job creation. The project will immediately create a new role for a Masters-level graduate, who will work with the Exwold team and the University to act as a bridge between academic research and real-world manufacturing. 

Gilly Hall, Knowledge Transfer Partnership Manager at Teesside University, adds:

“Knowledge Transfer Partnerships support companies like Exwold to drive real economic change in our communities. It’s fantastic to see our leading academic resources in digital manufacturing being used to support innovation right here in the Tees Valley.”