SBRI: Reducing pollution resulting from domestic burning or agricultural practices: Phase 1

This is phase 1 of a potential 2 phase competition. The decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1 and assessment of a separate application into a subsequent phase 2 competition. Only the successful applicants from phase 1 will be invited to apply to take part in phase 2.

To lead a project, you can:

• be an organisation of any size
• work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors

Contracts will be awarded to a single legal entity only.

Projects must:

• start on 1 August 2023
• end by 31 October 2023
• last up to 3 months

The aim of this competition is to develop products or services that can help reduce harmful pollutants in the atmosphere resulting from domestic burning, or agricultural practices that generate ammonia, including from anaerobic digestion.

Reducing emissions from wood burning

Domestic combustion is a major source of particulate matter (PM) emissions. Emissions of PM2.5 from domestic wood burning increased by 124 per cent between 2011 and 2021, to represent 21 per cent of total PM2.5 emissions in 2021. If we are to meet statutory PM2.5 targets we will need to find ways to reduce emissions from domestic wood burning.

Your solution must reduce emissions by introducing a new fuel type, improving wood burning stoves and fires or by post-burning emissions capture and filtration.

Reducing emissions from ammonia

The agriculture sector accounts for 87% of UK emissions of ammonia. This is emitted mainly during storage and spreading of manures, slurries and digestate from anaerobic digestion and from the application of inorganic fertilisers. Ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide to form secondary particulate matter which significantly impacts on human health in rural and urban areas.

Your solution must either prevent emissions of ammonia, extract it from the air or reduce deposition onto sensitive habitats.

Your phase 1 project must:

• demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed innovation, developing minimum viable products or early prototypes as appropriate
• develop the plan and lay the foundations to deliver potential phase 2 projects
• establish collaborations and agreements which will enable testing of the innovation in a real-world setting as part of potential phase 2 projects

Contracts will be given to successful applicants. At this stage contracts will be given for phase 1 only.

You must define your goals in your application and outline your potential plan for phase 2. This is part of the full commercial implementation in your phase 1 application.

You must demonstrate a credible and practical route to market, so your application must include a plan to commercialise your results.

An online briefing will be held on Monday 24th April at 2pm: click here for the joining link.

If you want help to find an organisation to work with, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Agrifood or Chemistry teams.