Recycling and reuse projects are among to benefit from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)´s first Transforming Foundation Industries challenge.

This will eventually distribute £149m to projects across the `foundation´industries: glass, metals, cement, ceramics, bulk chemicals, paper.

Those chosen for the £5m ‘fast start’ group of projects awarded grants include:

• EnviroAsh – to identify how ashes and other byproducts can be used as raw materials for new glass and ceramic products, led by Glass Technology Services.
• South Wales With Both Eyes Open – collaboration on saving energy, recycling and extracting precious metal, led by Environmental Resources Management.
• Re-usable net-zero carbon structures – to create a prefabricated, offsite, reusable, net-zero carbon structure made from recycled steel and cement-free concrete, led by Mace.
• Paper, ash and resin: valorisation of foundation industry waste streams – better uses for waste left from manufacturing paper, ceramics and metals, led by Cambord.

Bruce Adderley, UKRI’s interim challenge director for transforming foundation industries, said: “It is clear that as we move towards net zero goals, the foundation industries will play a key role in delivering on the UK’s strategy as they transform themselves in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“These fast start competition winners and the winners of future competitions will provide innovative ways to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the country’s foundation industries.”

Fuente: mrw.co.uk