Making plastics fit for a sustainable future - A snapshot of innovation, successes, support and funding

UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge (SSPP) is working to make plastic packaging fit for a sustainable future. A £60 million five-year programme, it is the largest and most ambitious UK government investment to date in sustainable plastics research and innovation. It reflects the urgent need for action to reduce the environmental footprint of plastics and eradicate plastic pollution
With a packed agenda, this event will help participants to:

• Learn about the ground-breaking plastics innovation projects already funded in Northern Ireland and across the UK by the SSPP Challenge;
• Provide opportunities to discuss the SSPP’s current £2.5 million funding competition, how to apply and how to access support through Innovate UK KTN;
• Understand current policy developments and priorities related to plastic packaging waste;
• Get the low down on the business support available from Innovate UK group for companies looking to innovate and grow in this important space;
• Hear from and network with other innovators working on plastic packaging waste solutions,
• Develop collaboration opportunities and partnerships to encourage innovation, knowledge sharing and co-investment opportunities.

Session 1 – Information

9:00 Registration & coffee

9:30 Welcome & SSPP challenge & achievements

• Innovate UK support – Paul Davidson ‘Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge Director.
• IUK Knowledge Transfer Network & UK Circular Plastics Network
• INVEST NI – general overview – Richard Pelan

10:05 Waste and Single-Use Plastics Policy & Legislation Team – Philip McMurray, DAERA Environmental Policy Division

10: 35 DRS AND EPR – Charmaine Beer, DAERI )

10:50 TBC

11:00 Coffee break

11:20 Session 2 – Exploration- showcase of initiatives, projects & research presentations – Chaired by Mark Kearns Queens University Belfast

11:20 Serving & supporting the polymer industry in Northern Ireland – John Irwin NIPA Chair

11:35 Bryson Recycling – Eric Randal

11: 45 Plastic tax: subsequent market and businesss reactions – Greiner Packaging – David Kirkland

12:00 Blow Moulding Technology Ltd – Ross Blair

12:15 R&D tax relief for businesses and Patent Box – Caroline Keenan

12:30 Lunch

13:15 – Session 3 Exploration (continued) & collaboration – showcase of initiatives (~ 4 presentations), projects & research from previously funded projects & other innovative projects

1. Tapping into Global Waste Streams for Sustainable Packaging – Eoin Cunningham – Queens University Belfast
2. Peter Martin – ACCEPT project – Queens University Belfast
3. Smart sustainable polymers and polymer nano composites for packaging products – Biqiong Chen – Queens University Belfast
4. TBC

14:00 – 14:45 – SSPP new funding competition scope & Q&A – Paul Davidson

14:45 – 15:30 Extended networking opportunity

15:30 Close