More staff and new equipment for firm awarded £6m

The programme aims to use recycled aluminium to make the components

An aluminium foundry awarded a £6m grant said it will fund more workers, new equipment and a better recycling network.

Sarginsons, based in Coventry, will work with partners including Aston Martin as part of a research programme into developing lighter vehicle components.

It aims to use 100% recycled aluminium when producing vehicles to make them more sustainable and cheaper while still operating properly.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used to produce designs of new chassis components for an existing Aston Martin model, aiming to reduce development costs, Sarginsons said.

A not-for-profit organisation named the Advanced Propulsion Centre and agency Innovate UK have funded the programme.

Funds will also work to move away from aluminium that has been directly mined.

Gavin Shipley, from Sarginsons, said the research could "lay the blueprint" for industries to increase their manufacturing efficiency in a sustainable way.