REforMM feasibility study competition winners announced

Coloured fibre optics/LEDs in a circular pattern

This month Innovate UK announced the 20 projects selected in the Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM) feasibility study competition.

The REforMM feasibility study competition is supported through Innovate UK’s net zero make and use initiative.

The nominated organisations will each receive a share of £1.3 million to complete feasibility studies to develop new approaches to improve resource efficiency.

With the range and scope of the applications being truly impressive, the transforming foundation industries challenge provided additional funding to allow more projects to be supported.

Resource efficiency

Broad adoption of resource efficiency is critical for economic growth, to protect our environment, and to ensure resilience of supply.

However, maximum implementation of resource efficient solutions is a complex task.

This feasibility study competition is part of the £15 million REforMM programme.

The programme is designed to help businesses to put in place the key building blocks to enable them to transform to a resource efficient future.

Materials and manufacturing vision

This Innovate UK programme builds on the materials and manufacturing vision 2050.

The vision concludes that the UK has clear potential to become a world-class destination of choice for advanced low-carbon manufacturing.

Improving resource efficiency is a key pillar in delivering this potential.

Moving towards increased sustainability

David Elson, Head of Manufacturing and Materials at Innovate UK, said:

We are delighted to announce such an impressive range of projects.

Improved resource efficiency has been widely identified as a key and urgent lever as we move towards increased sustainability.

It not only has the potential to reduce emissions across the supply chain but can also improve national and business resilience.

The team is really looking forward to working with the projects towards successful outcomes.

Further information

The 20 projects

A novel automated machine learning platform for predictive yield optimisation and real time tracking and tracing

Snowflow AI Ltd

An additive manufacturing product tracking system to improve traceability and manufacturer responsibility to support the remanufacture of raw materials

Batch.works Ltd

DEsign MEthodology for fibre steered Composite structures (DEMEC)

iCOMAT Ltd

Electroformed composite protection system (ECPS)

Ultima Forma Ltd

Increasing resource efficiency and sustainability of hard carbon synthesis

Batri Ltd and Swansea University

Innovating near-zero-waste 3D woven apparel components towards whole garment manufacturing

Weffan Ltd and University of Leeds

Modelling of Alloy Process Parameters for Enhanced Development (MAPPED)

Materials Nexus Ltd

Novel INFIQ® lead-free infrared quantum dot inks for photovoltaic applications

Quantum Science Ltd

Paintbox: development of printable direct-gloss paint material

Paintbox Banbury Ltd

Palladium electroplated tungsten semiconductor probes to minimise palladium use in semiconductor test

TauProbes Ltd

Project TUPLA: traceability of used PLA across the supply chain from manufacturer to recycle

Greenleaf Surgical Ltd, Re-mine Ltd and University of Bath

Proof of concept of energy efficient processing technology for wool natural fibre composites to create a sustainable modular construction panel (EEWC-ModularPoC)

Lightweight Structural Composite Panels Technologies Ltd

Recovery and reuse of silver metal across the high technology value chains (SILVER)

DZP Technologies Ltd and The University of Warwick

Smartawood site hoarding from construction plastics waste

Plastecowood Ltd and University of Surrey

Sustainable Cost-Effective Technologies for L-Lactic Acid Production from UK Food Wastes (SCET-LAFOW)

Chip[s] Board Ltd

Projects supported by the transforming foundation industries challenge

Calcined clay supply chain for low carbon concrete

Aggregate Industries UK Ltd and Building Research Establishment Ltd

Embedding TRACeability in manufacturing construction Steel to aid reuse (E-TRACS)

The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products Ltd, Dynatics Solutions Ltd, University of Hertfordshire Higher Education Corporation and Leeds Beckett University

Improving paint industry circularity: from waste paint to new paint opacifiers

PRA World Ltd

Reclamex: a feasibility study for a UK aluminium smelting wastes treatment facility

Ultromex Ltd

Silicates & Aluminosilicates: Visibility for Value-chain Innovation & Environmental Responsibility (SAVVIER)

Valuechain Technology Ltd, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Ltd and European Metal Recycling Ltd

Top image:  Credit: Anna Bliokh, iStock, Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

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