Plastics Innovation awareness event

Plastics Innovation awareness event – an event to support innovation towards zero plastic waste

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a £20m fund in the spring budget to help businesses and universities to develop “new technologies” to help achieve the target of eliminating “avoidable plastic waste” by 2042.

Mr Hammond said: “Single-use plastics waste is a scourge to our environment. From crisp packets to coffee cups, each year the UK produces millions of tonnes of waste which is neither recyclable nor biodegradable.

“We are determined to create an environment that is fit for future generations. By working with industry, innovators and the public I am confident we can bring about real change. We will be looking at a wide range of things, from new materials and more efficient recycling methods to changing set habits through taxes and charges,” he said.

This event is an opportunity to discuss and develop project ideas suitable for upcoming funding calls. The event will bring together WRAP, UK Research and Innovation and the KTN along with companies in the sector to showcase some of the current innovations, discuss potential possible solutions and build collaborations ready for the competition opening.

If you are a company in the plastic waste sector and wish to showcase your material or process please contact Dr Sally Beken at sally.beken@ktn-uk.org to reserve a free table top exhibition slot.

Programme (subject to change)

Registration tea coffee 9.30am

10.00 am KTN – Sally Beken Welcome/agenda

10.20 - 10.40am Innovate UK/UK Research and Innovation - Nick Cliffe - Supporting Plastics Innovation

10.40 – 11.00am WRAP - Claire Shrewsbury – Towards zero plastics waste

11.00 - 11.20 UK Research and Innovation speaker tbc - Plastics Innovation

11.20-11.40 - coffee break

11.40 - 12 noon PRISM - a case study towards zero plastic waste funded by Innovate UK, Prof. Edward Kosior, Nextek Ltd.

Noon – 1pm What are you doing or could be doing towards Zero Plastics waste?

Pitches of novel polymer waste/recycled materials/company competency in the sector (5-10 mins each – 8 max)

1pm 1.45pm Lunch

1.45pm – 3pm round table facilitated discussions on : (15 mins per table)

1.·Reducing the amount of plastic used to provide a good or service without compromising recyclability

2.·Increase the opportunity for plastic products (incl. packaging) to be recycled.

3.·Increase the value of plastic after its first use.

4.·Bring new or recycled polymers closer to market, particularly those based on natural or renewable resources that having minimal impact on the environment

5.·Aim to change behaviour that leads to reduced persistent plastic waste being discarded

3.00 - 3.20pm KTN collate info on possible projects/partnerships, follow up for future funding. Opportunity for potential partners to liaise.

3.30pm Summary and close