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

Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility

Opens: 03/05/2025   Closes: 17/02/2026

Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5 programme for 2025/26, with up to €69m available for the largest single projects

More Information

Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Opens: 03/05/2025   Closes: 24/09/2025

Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 programme for 2025/26, with up to €130m available for the largest single projects

More Information

Horizon Europe 2025 EU Missions: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030

Opens: 06/05/2025   Closes: 20/01/2026

Funding available through Horizon Europe to support climate-neutral and smart cities, with up to €15m for the largest projects.

More Information

Horizon Europe 2025: New European Bauhaus Facility

Opens: 06/05/2025   Closes: 12/11/2025

Aiming to revitalise European neighbourhoods with design for sustainability and inclusion, with up to €8m per project from a total budget of €118m.

More Information

Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space

Opens: 03/05/2025   Closes: 02/10/2025

Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 4 programme for 2025/26, with up to €75m available for the largest single projects

More Information

Developing Semiconductor Hardware for Critical Technologies

Opens: 14/04/2025   Closes: 29/05/2025

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5 million. These feasibility studies will investigate ways to improve semiconductor design and manufacture within the UK to support critical technologies.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
26
Mar
2025

Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge - Celebration Event

09.30 - 17.00 GMT | London

Recording coming soon
Thu
13
Feb
2025

The Challenge of Textiles Circularity

14.30 - 15.45 | 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
See all events

Related News

Innovate UK hosts Roadshow & Workshop to foster circular fashion innovation between the UK and Nigeria

14/10/2024

Innovate UK hosts Roadshow & Workshop to foster circular fashion innovation between the UK and Nigeria

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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UK innovators receive £3.5 million to support UK Rare Earth Minerals supply chain

30/09/2024

UK innovators receive £3.5 million to support UK Rare Earth Minerals supply chain

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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