REACT sustainable electronics centre celebrates official launch

The UK’s first dedicated centre for sustainable electronics, the Responsible Electronics and Circular Technology Centre (REACT), has celebrated its official launch with a series of high-profile events and the inaugural meeting of its steering board.

Credit: University of Glasgow

Led by the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, REACT is backed by over £6 million in funding from UK Research & Innovation and industry partners. The centre is one of five national Green Economy Centres focused on advancing sustainable innovation across key sectors.

REACT’s mission is to redefine how electronics are designed, manufactured, and recycled by embedding circular economy principles into the entire lifecycle of electronic products. With a central hub based in Scotland’s central belt, REACT brings together researchers, manufacturers, and policy experts to address the environmental impact of electronics and develop commercially viable, sustainable alternatives.

Launch Celebrations and Sector Insight

The centre officially opened its doors on 24 April with two launch events at the University of Glasgow. The programme included a keynote speech from Professor Eric Yeatman, Head of the College of Science & Engineering, and a workshop titled Responsible Innovation for Electronics, where sector leaders discussed sustainable design, regulatory challenges, investment opportunities, and future market directions.

Guest speakers included circular economy consultant Sarah Downes, Trevor Hinchcliffe of Impact Solutions, ST Microelectronics’ technology development manager Robert Nicol, and Justine Scullion, business strategy manager at WEEE Scotland.

The day concluded with a showcase reception featuring live demonstrations and poster sessions, offering attendees a closer look at the research and innovations driving REACT’s vision forward.

Read more about the official launch here!