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’.
Circular Economy
|Experts
|Funding Opportunities
|Case Studies
|Events
|News
|Perspective
|Programmes
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
Battery Investment Readiness Programme 2025
Opens: 27/05/2025 Closes: 31/07/2025
Apply now to be part of the Battery Investment Readiness Programme for 2025. Innovate UK Business Connect will select up to 15 SMEs to join the programme to accelerate their investment journey.
More Information
Contracts for Innovation: Net Zero Living Tech Trials, phase 3
Opens: 19/05/2025 Closes: 25/06/2025
Organisations can apply for a share of £800,000, inclusive of VAT, to develop pre-commercial innovations that support Local Authorities in meeting net zero goals. Projects must include field trials to test and improve solutions ahead of commercialisation.
More Information
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
Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains (CLIMATES) Investment Readiness Programme 2025
Opens: 05/06/2025 Closes: 31/07/2025
Innovate UK Business Connect are delighted to open our 2025 programme for up to 15 SMEs in the Critical Materials space who are seeking to accelerate their investment raise.
More Information
Made Smarter: Improving energy or resource efficiency in manufacturing - feasibility studies
Opens: 09/06/2025 Closes: 02/07/2025
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m to develop new industrial digital technologies for a more productive, resilient and sustainable sector.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
11
Jun
2025
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
Related News
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.
Read more
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.