UK to Invest £250m in Cutting-Edge MRI Cooling Technology Plant

Siemens Healthineers has embarked on a groundbreaking project with the commencement of construction on a state-of-the-art £250m (€300m, $314m) facility in the UK dedicated to the design and production of MRI superconducting magnets. The new plant, located in Oxfordshire, will not only serve as a manufacturing site but will also house a research and development center focused on advancing innovative and sustainable MRI technology.

The 56,000m² site is poised to revolutionize MRI technology with its incorporation of cutting-edge manufacturing automation that significantly reduces the reliance on helium, a potent greenhouse gas used for cooling superconducting magnets. This facility marks the UK's inaugural large-scale production site for the revolutionary DryCool technology, which slashes the helium requirement in an MRI scanner from a staggering 1,500 liters to less than a single liter. The anticipated opening of this facility is slated for 2026.

As part of Siemens Healthineers' strategic expansion plan, the new factory will join the ranks of the company's six existing and planned manufacturing sites in the UK. Notably, the facility will host a research and development hub dedicated to pioneering technologies, including the development and production of compact, lightweight whole-body scanners that are among the smallest globally.

Upon reaching full operational capacity in 2030, the site is expected to create more than 1,300 employment opportunities, with a significant portion of these roles being filled by the retention of over 600 skilled workers currently employed at an established Siemens Healthineers facility in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. The roles encompass a diverse range of professions, including physicists, engineers, technicians, and specialized support staff, underscoring the company's commitment to fostering a highly skilled workforce.

Commenting on the significance of the investment, Bernd Montag, the chief executive of Siemens Healthineers, emphasized the pivotal role of MRI technology in disease diagnosis and patient care. Montag expressed pride in the company's role as a global leader in medical imaging and highlighted the new factory as a milestone in advancing low-helium magnet technology, which not only conserves a scarce natural resource but also enhances accessibility to MRI services for a broader patient population.