Eriez® Celebrates Pioneering Collaboration with Cardiff University at KTP@50 Event
Caerphilly, Wales – Eriez®, a global leader in separation technologies, showcased its successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Cardiff University at KTP@50, held on March 20, 2025, at the historic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. The event celebrated 50 years of KTPs, a program that connects businesses with academic institutions to drive innovation and growth.
Eriez' Enhanced Knowledge Transfer Partnership (eKTP) with Cardiff University was pivotal in advancing signal processing and electronic design for metal detection technology. This collaboration directly contributed to the June 2024 launch of the Eriez digital MetAlarm metal detector, now manufactured in Bedwas, Wales, and delivered to customers across the UK, USA, and beyond.
The success of this initiative has significantly expanded Eriez' research and development (R&D) capabilities. What began with a single researcher at Eriez' Bedwas site has evolved into a dedicated five-person team based at Spark|Sbarc, Cardiff University's premier innovation hub. The additional funding secured through the KTP has also strengthened Eriez’ cross-border collaboration and fostered a more integrated approach to innovation by closely uniting global Eriez teams with academic thought leaders.
Chris Dyer, Lead R&D Electronic Engineer at Eriez-Europe and a Cardiff University alumnus, represented Eriez at the KTP@50 event. Dyer, whose PhD research was rooted in the KTP, emphasised the impact of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Cardiff University has given Eriez a competitive edge in metal detection, accelerating both development and market adoption of our latest technologies."
Beyond product development, Eriez has bolstered its ability to obtain external funding for innovation. The company successfully secured £112k through two InnovateUK projects for AI-driven metal detection applications, with additional funding applications in progress. Further, Eriez has privately financed Cardiff University projects, reinforcing its long-term commitment to academic collaboration. With weekly engagement between Eriez and Cardiff University researchers, the partnership continues to drive advancements in next-generation technology.
Gareth Meese, Managing Director of Eriez-Europe, highlighted the transformative impact of the project: "Our partnership with Cardiff University underscores the power of KTPs in turning academic research into real-world industrial advancements. The strong market adoption of the MetAlarm demonstrates Eriez-Europe’s position as a dynamic, forward-thinking manufacturer and employer in South Wales, while solidifying our global leadership position in metal detection technology."
Dyer emphasised that while celebrating the partnership’s achievements at the KTP@50 event was an honour, the work is far from over: “The breakthroughs we’ve achieved are just the beginning—we’re excited to build on this success and continue to utilise our partnership with Cardiff University to push technological boundaries even further.”
About the KTP Program
Since its inception in 1975, the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) program has driven innovation by connecting businesses with academic institutions to address strategic challenges and foster growth. With over 14,000 projects completed, KTP has generated £5.50 for every £1 invested, contributing billions to the UK economy. By bridging academic research with industry needs, KTP continues to drive technological advancements and long-term business success.