Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and member of the eponymous foundation, announces the construction of the largest 3D printing centre of the United Kingdom at Silvertown, built for works of art and large-scale sculptures.Â
First, plans indicate that the area goes from outside London to Kent and Essex’ boroughs on the South-Eastern Coast of England.
According to the mayor’s office, there is a striking influence of the industrial heritage of East London and the Thames Estuary whose contribution is about ÂŁ 35 million (41 515 276, 34 €) annually to the city’s economy.
For Khan, The Thames Estuary should become a world-class centre for creative production-Â leading global innovation, developing the talent of the future and cultivating world-changing ideas.
It goes without saying that such a project involves the creation of employment in the sector. A report of the UK Commission on Employment and Skills mentioned that 1.3 million people are already working in the creative economy in London and 1.2 million workers are expected during the next decade.
Thus, this 3D printing centre is just one of the numerous innovations that will revolutionize life in the Thames Estuary. Other impacting projects are planned: a hub for digital creativity at the University of Essex (Colchester), and an industrial research laboratory for prototyping.
3D printing’s investments obviously constitute the country’s economy growth.