UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced details of the range of innovative new projects that have successfully secured £8 million of funding. The aim is to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the UK’s foundation industry companies and their supply chains.
Through its large collaborative research and development competition, UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge tasked research and innovation consortia with developing technology to reduce energy and resource inefficiencies across the industries of:
glass
cement
paper
chemicals
ceramics
metals.
Reducing carbon emissions
The aim is to reduce carbon emissions. Designed to deliver cross-sector benefits, these projects bring together businesses with their supply chains and equipment providers, to work on common challenges.
Successful projects in this competition include the Ultromex’s Carbacem project, which tackles waste in the aluminium industry. This not only prevents hazardous waste from entering landfill, but also provides secondary resources for cement production including carbon, alumina and silicates that can help reduce its environmental footprint.
Axchem’s paper-focused Hifib project also aims to address demand for sustainably produced, lighter, stronger paper and board, which would reduce:
the quantity and weight of packaging
transportation costs
carbon emissions.
Meeting new market challenges
Bruce Adderley, director of UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries challenge, said: "Collaboration is the lynchpin for innovation across these industries. The opportunities for mutual benefits, re-use of by-products and the exchange of knowledge and skills will be essential for ensuring their journey towards improving efficiency and productivity to meet new market challenges.
"We have seen from the quality of applications just how new technology and a commitment to combined thinking can work together to address some of the key issues affecting the sector.
"Being able to reduce energy use and carbon outputs obviously has a direct impact on crucial net zero targets. Equally important are the potential efficiencies in processes, materials and systems that will not only present further environmental benefits, but also bring these industries to a move competitive footing for the future."
Further information and project details
Image by Emir Krasnić from Pixabay