Open Innovation Challenge: Valorisation of Expired Paints

Berger Paints Nigeria is seeking innovative methods of valorising aged paints, and paint fractions and components, into new products, including usable paints with a shelf life of more than 2 Years. The solution   should have wide applicability and scalability to help transform this worldwide waste stream into commercially valuable outputs.

There are no current technological processes in-country available to convert these aged paints for alternative uses thus an innovative solution is required.

Berger Paints Nigeria’s range of water-based paints includes standard and premium: matt and satin finishes, withs typical shelf lives of 2-3 yrs. Their solvent-based paints include epoxy coatings, acrylic polyurethane, silicone heat resisting, chlorubber paint, marine/alkyd gloss, antifouling paint, etch wash primer, road marking paint and bright aluminum, with typical shelf lives of 3-5 yrs.

Berger Paints Nigeria is working with waste management agencies to legally dispose of unusable paints. However, they are looking for innovations which feed into the circular economy process relating to paints. Berger Paints would like to save energy, optimise resource efficiency and minimise waste, also generating cost savings to the company and its consumers.

Currently: ‘officially’ expired paints (via date of manufacture) can be revalidated (by technical shelf life) for additional retail shelf life of 6-12 months. However, continual revalidation is time-consuming and impacts product quality perceptions.

The ideal solution would consider ways of collecting and sorting leftover paints to identify expired paints. The manufacturer would then process remnants and treat to remove impurities and to separate removable materials. Berger Paints Nigeria would like to lead the industry in developing such a (re)supply chain. Such findings would be shared with government waste collection agencies and these innovative services could also serve other paint manufacturers.

Berger Paints Nigeria envisages valorised products to re-enter the paint supply chain (with a longer shelf life compared to the above-mentioned 6-12 months), but they are also open to solutions resulting in new and different products entirely. Innovative thinking is welcome for this challenge.

Early-stage solutions are welcome, but TRL must be aligned with project objectives (ie: capable of running a valid pilot).

• Up to GBP 25,000 seed funding (Subject to T&C)
• Opportunity to pitch your solution to Berger Paints Nigeria
• Collaboration/partnership with Berger Paints Nigeria
• Technical support from Berger Paints Nigeria team
• Sector expertise from Innovate UK
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK events
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)
• Application support for any Innovate UK or similar competitions that are relevant.

Berger Paints Nigeria is open to discuss IP arrangements with challenge winners. They would seek to find a mutually beneficial commercialisation route.