Circular Economy

As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, we are changing the demand profile on many materials. But at the same time, as the world population rises, resulting in an ever increasing demand for energy and products which puts increasing pressure on materials (and their supply chains), we are also generating more and more ‘waste’.

We believe that all sectors can play a role in enabling the transition to a more circular economy. Recent activity includes (among many others):

  • Developing a Capability Map for the key process technologies required to convert alternative feedstocks into chemical products.
  • An ongoing programme of workshops, awareness raising and scoping activity around Remanufacturing.
  • UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN), a dedicated community around the sustainable use of plastics.

We are working with organisations across the UK, from large companies and SMEs to start-ups and researchers, up, down and across supply chains to accelerate this transition.

Get in touch if you have a circular economy challenge, or if you are a developer or provider of enabling technologies, solutions or expertise.

Our Experts

Related Opportunities

Southwest Wales Net Zero Industry Launchpad Round 2 - Call for challenge holders

Opens: 18/02/2026   Closes: 13/03/2026

The Net Zero Industry Launchpad is using the Innovate UK Business Connect Innovation Exchange (iX) platform to offer an exciting new pilot competition using the iX platform to support challenges that benefit or impact on Southwest Wales. The aim of this competition is to support…

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iX Challenge: CCTV / AI Waste Monitoring for High Accuracy Recycling

Opens: 24/02/2026   Closes: 07/04/2026

Sinclair Group (Wales) invites innovators, SMEs, and solution providers to propose digital and AI driven technologies for recycling accuracy, contamination reduction, and operational efficiency.

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iX Challenge: Digital Material Flow Mapping and Packaging Reduction

Opens: 24/02/2026   Closes: 07/04/2026

Sinclair Group (Wales) seek innovators who can map and analyse material flows, enabling packaging reduction, reusable alternatives, and enhanced circular economy performance.

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Related Events and Recordings

Wed
30
Jul
2025

Materials & Manufacturing Show and Tell Series, summer 2025

12.00 - 13.00 BST | Online

Watch now
Thu
19
Sep
2024

Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability Conference 2024 (GRIPS 2024)

09.00 - 16.30 | Sheffield / Online

Watch now
Thu
13
Feb
2025

The Challenge of Textiles Circularity

14.30 - 15.45 | Online

Watch now
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Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa has launched a groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainable practices in Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry. The UK-Nigeria Circular Fashion Global Innovation Network aims to catalyse a revolutionary transformation by adopting circular fashion principles and innovations.

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A project to extract rare minerals and elements from the plumes of a volcano, and another to extract them from mining waste, are among 9 innovation partnerships that have been awarded £3.5 million of funding from Innovate UK.

 

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