Chemical & Process Engineering

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) play a central role in our approach to industrial collaboration. We’re dedicated to developing projects that harness our academic expertise and technical capabilities to address real-world business challenges and opportunities.

 

What are KTPs

KTPs are a long-standing UK-wide initiative, running for over 45 years, that supports organisations of all sizes and sectors in driving innovation and achieving growth.

A KTP gives your organisation access to specialist knowledge and skills to unlock strategic opportunities. Whether you're aiming to develop new products, improve processes, enter new markets, or boost productivity, a KTP connects you with academic experts who will help embed valuable knowledge and capabilities within your business.

 

How KTPs Work


Each KTP involves a three-way collaboration between your organisation, the university, and a recently qualified graduate (known as a KTP Associate), who works within your organisation to deliver the project. Projects typically run for 12 to 36 months. Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, funds between 50% and 75% of the project costs, depending on the size and type of organisation. The goal is to help your business tackle key challenges and enhance its competitiveness.

Beyond individual projects, KTPs often lead to lasting partnerships between businesses and universities, laying the foundation for ongoing collaboration.

 

KTPs at Strathclyde


The University of Strathclyde is home to the West of Scotland KTP Centre—the largest in Scotland and one of the leading centres in the UK. We’ve been involved in KTPs from the outset, partnering with organisations across the UK to deliver impactful, innovation-driven projects across a wide range of industries.

 

KTP - Case Studies

Decarbonising the Isle of Raasay Distillery: Waste-to-Energy   

R&B Distillers Ltd., formed in 2014, are artisanal distillers of whisky and gin. In 2017, they transformed Borodale House on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Raasay into a state-of-the-art distillery and hotel. 


Isle of Raasay Distillery generates revenue through sales of malt whisky, gin, and specialist casks, plus tours of their on-site visitor centre and bookings of luxury accommodation within their hotel, which is the only accommodation in Scotland housed within the same building as an operational distillery.

The team consisted of Dr Robert Price (KTP Associate), Dr Jun Li (Knowledge Base Supervisor) and Norman Gillies (Company Supervisor). 

Utilise data science techniques to intensify production with sophisticated monitoring and control solutions

ScotBio produces high value biochemicals from microalgae, valued as food and pharmaceutical ingredients, personal care
products and fine chemical reagents.

The team consisted of Dr Gonzalo Figueroa Torres (KTP Associate), Dr Claudia Chen (Knowledge Base Supervisor) and Lucie Novoveska (Company Supervisor). 

Watch our KTP case study video - Isle of Raasay Distillery