Ripley Company Awarded £130,000 Innovate UK Grant To Develop Manufacturing Technology
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 24 September 2026
UPDATED: 24 September 2026
Ripley-based TextureJet has been awarded a £130,000 Innovate UK grant to develop ArcSlice®, its technology for preparing and finishing the surfaces of polymer and composite materials used in manufacturing.
The nine-month project will support further development, testing and customer evaluation of ArcSlice ahead of potential commercial use. TextureJet aims to help manufacturers make surface processing of these materials more consistent and efficient, while also reducing waste.
The funding was awarded through Innovate UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains: Potential High Growth SMEs competition, which supports innovative businesses with the potential to strengthen UK manufacturing and supply chains.
Polymer and composite materials are increasingly being used in sectors including aerospace, automotive and construction. As their use grows, manufacturers need reliable ways to prepare and treat their surfaces. The project builds on TextureJet’s existing work in metal surface engineering.
"This award is a fantastic endorsement of both our technology and our vision for the future of advanced manufacturing," said Dr Jonathon Mitchell-Smith, CEO and Founder, TextureJet. "Innovate UK's support enables us to accelerate the development of a highly promising technology platform with the potential to deliver significant benefits for manufacturers working with advanced materials. As industries continue to pursue higher performance, greater efficiency, and more sustainable production methods, we believe innovations such as ArcSlice will play an important role in supporting that transition."
Dr Patrick Bointon, Chief Product Officer at TextureJet, added:
"Advanced materials such as composites are becoming increasingly important across modern manufacturing, but many production challenges still remain. This project provides an exciting opportunity to further develop and validate our technology while working closely with industry to ensure ArcSlice delivers meaningful commercial and operational value. The Innovate UK award provides vital support to bring that capability closer to market."
The Innovate UK award marks another important milestone in TextureJet's journey, following the company’s move to new, larger Ripley premises earlier this year. The company now employs 15 people at its site in Heage Road Industrial Estate.
