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SUSTAINABLE chemistry and energy safety are set to receive a development boost, with the UK government announcing a fresh tranche of funding that brings together UK universities and international companies.

The money is provided through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UK RPIF), which is set to deliver more than £1bn (US$1.6bn) to support the development of new facilities and projects.

Included in the seven projects announced today is a £38m partnership between Swansea University, BP and Tata Steel for the development of the Energy Safety Research Institute; and a £34m partnership between the University of Nottingham and GlaxoSmithKline to support the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Chemistry.

“It is fantastic that our top businesses and top charities are queuing up to collaborate with our world-class universities,” says universities and science minister David Willetts.

“The winning projects will tackle the key issues we face – like fighting disease, ensuring energy efficiency and improving infrastructure – for the benefit of all,” he adds.

UK RPIF was first launched with £100m of public finance in May, but support was tripled after a large number of high-quality bids were received. All projects have to include private funding from industry or the charitable sector worth a minimum of double the public contribution.

So far, 14 projects have received £220m of public money that is expected to be met with more than £600m of private contribution.