A new green innovation fund has been launched to help Cheshire SMEs transform their ideas into reality in the race to net zero.
Businesses, charities and social enterprises in the county can get up to 60% funding towards projects worth £25,000 to help them deliver sustainable products, processes or services.
The £400,000 grant scheme is managed by Eco-I North West (NW), a £14 million research and development programme which gives SMEs access to a regional knowledge base, cutting-edge research facilities and skills involving six of the region’s leading universities - Cumbria, Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Metropolitan.
Since its launch two years ago, more than 100 enterprises, including 12 in Cheshire, have collaborated with universities to test their ideas which could help solve global challenges such as water supply and quality, waste, energy, resource efficiency, natural capital, air quality, and food security.
These new grants will accelerate these low carbon innovations from research to commercialisation by match funding prototypes, pilots and demonstration systems.
"Eco-I NW opens up such a huge academic regional resource to SMEs. It offers the opportunity for the North West to create an ecosystem which accelerates our transition to a low carbon economy. This is a scheme which should allow businesses to access grants quickly and try new things.
"I would encourage leaders of SME enterprises in the North West to start a conversation with us about how Eco-I NW could help to reduce costs and their carbon footprint, improve performance, and future proof their business in a low carbon future.
"More than 100 enterprises from a wide range of sectors, disciplines and project themes are already collaborating with the partner universities and could double their potential return on R&D investment.
"These grants will further support those already working with the universities, and expand the benefits Eco-I NW can offer to even more SMEs to bring to market even more sustainable products, processes or services. - Andy Pickard, Manager of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation
Stopford
Stopford is an international innovation, consulting and projects company, based in Mere, that develops disruptive technologies to serve the requirements of the low-carbon and circular economy sectors. This includes Plasmergy, its novel Microwave Induced Plasma (MIP) gasification process.
Dr Ben Herbert, Technology and Innovation Director at Stopford Projects, said: "Plasmergy has the potential to provide the clinical waste management sector with an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable alternative to incineration. Furthermore, through enabling the highly efficient generation of energy from clinical waste, and via modular onsite deployment, Plasmergy also presents the medical sector with an opportunity to reduce grid-based energy demand, further facilitating decarbonisation.
"We are currently working with Jayan Suthar, a PhD researcher at Lancaster University, on a research project which seeks to integrate the Plasmergy gasification process with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to enable the highly efficient generation of low-carbon energy. By combining the two technologies we aim to develop a process that is unique in both scale and efficiency, enabling sustainable waste management and low-carbon energy generation."
Peak Associates Environmental Consultants
Peak Associates Environmental Consultants based in Warrington, is working with Eco-I NW on a project to investigate the origins of phosphorus in rivers exploring techniques to remove it.
Mike Matthews, Managing Director, said: "To be part of a programme driven by the same values we hold as a company is something we feel privileged to be part of and to be able to work with students like Emma Clarke, who we see playing a key role in the future of our industry, is an opportunity we couldn’t pass up on.
"We are proud to be part of such a unique and innovative programme that supports exploring and solving the environmental issues we see in our world today."
Biotech Services
Biotech Services, based in Sandbach, is a manufacturer exploring the use of extracted organic production waste to create new products such as fabrics, regenerative medicine, biodegradable packaging and batteries.
Steve Price, Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to be involved in Eco-I North West, and working with Lancaster University to research how biomaterials can be used for novel biotechnological applications.
"The project research aims to build upon our expertise on the valorisation of agricultural waste. It aims to utilise different agricultural waste feedstocks, gaining understanding and maximising their true value as potential sources of renewable materials."
Designed Network Solutions
Designed Network Solutions, based in Northwich, is a network design and bespoke product distribution company focussed on delivering solutions to tackle the challenges of supply issues faced by water companies and municipalities around the world.
Craig Stanners, Owner, said: "Water is one of our most precious resources, but the way it is transported from sources to the end user through ageing and poorly maintained network infrastructure means utilities and municipalities are losing on average more than 50% of the water they produce. With the demand for water increasing, efficient supply, treatment and use of water is critical for now and for future generations.
"Designed Network Solutions is working with Lancaster University to go back to the basic fundamentals to develop network designs and software solutions to deal with day-to-day issues faced by the water companies from better controlling water distribution from the source to the end user, resulting in more effective water management, reduction in carbon emissions and maintenance costs. We are excited about the opportunity to access the skills and expertise to collaborate on developing innovative solutions to deal with a global problem."
Eco-I NW aims to work with more than 300 SMEs, supporting the development of 135 new innovative solutions which will save 3,850 tonnes of CO2.
To find out more about the programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/eco-i-nw/capital-grant-scheme/