< HOME / news

Insights: Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) ISCF Challenge

May 26, 2021

Carmel Meredew
Proposal Manager

Insights: Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) ISCF Challenge

Innovate UK has recently launched the latest Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) funding competition[CM1] . The challenge seeks to address widely known problems related to plastic packaging for consumer products e.g. minimising plastic packaging, behaviour change leading to less packaging waste or higher recycling rates.

Why are plastics important?

Plastics continue to shape our lives in many ways, from packaging of consumer goods to construction materials and light weighting transport. Plastics are all around us and here to stay, which is also the main problem – particularly when it comes to packaging. Plastic packaging performs many crucial roles in our modern life from ensuring food safety standards to providing hygienic medical products. But as most people now realise, the industry needs to make the UK plastics packaging supply chain more circular. According to Plastics Europe 86% of plastic packaging in the UK is recovered, but only one third of plastic packaging is recycled, despite consumers being more eco aware. Less than half the plastic goods which are recyclable are actually recycled. Innovation is needed across the plastics value chain to minimise the environmental impact of plastic packaging while maintaining the many benefits plastic packaging deliver.

 

Plastic use

A key challenge we face in moving to a more circular plastics supply chain is the shear variety of plastics in use. Polyethylene (PE), predominantly used in packaging, is the most common plastic in use. Over 100 million tonnes of polyethylene resins are produced annually, accounting for 34% of the total plastics market. Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are also widely used in packaging. The automotive and constructions sectors routinely use Polyurethane (PUR) and other thermoplastics. The more compounds used in a plastic product the more difficult it is to recycle. So where do we start?

 

The importance of the UK Plastics Pact

The UK Plastics Pact was developed to bring together businesses from across the plastics value chain with UK governments and NGOs to tackle the blight of plastic waste. Supporters of the Pact are collaborating to create a circular economy for plastics, capturing their value by keeping them in the economy and out of the natural environment driven by four aims:

eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery model.

  • 100% of plastics packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.
  • 70% of plastics packaging effectively recycled or composted.
  • 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging.

 

How your innovation can make a difference

Plastics are an integral part of many supply chains and ensuring their continued use where the benefits remain unparalleled requires the industry to focus innovation on prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, other recovery. In 2018, of the 5 million tonnes of plastic recyclates produced in Europe, 80% re-entered the European economy to manufacture new products. The remainder was exported outside Europe to re-enter other regions of the world’s economies. It is imperative the sector addresses some critical issues to continued plastics use and find innovative solutions that continue to strengthen the plastics value chain.

 

Innovation funding

UKRI have recognised the importance of plastics and invested in The Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) challenge - part of the ISCF wave 3 - to develop a new generation of advanced and sustainable plastics packaging to reduce single-use plastics, increase recyclability and recycle rates. The challenge aims to establish the UK as a leading innovator in sustainable plastic packaging for consumer goods.

 

The ISCF Smart Sustainable Plastics Packaging Business-led R&D competition opens this month with £7m available for grants between £200k to £4m. All projects must help deliver the UK Plastics Pact and describe in detail how they will reduce the UK plastic packaging overall environmental impact.

 

Applications must focus on one or more of the following sustainable plastic packaging themes:

  • the minimising or reduction of plastic packaging
  • packaging suitable for reuse, refill and online delivery
  • sustainable solutions for film and flexibles
  • food grade recycled polypropylene and polyethylene
  • behaviour change leading to less packaging waste or higher recycling rates
  • solutions which address the UK Plastics Pact target for problematic or unnecessary single use plastic packaging items

 

Are you a trailblazer with a ground-breaking sustainable plastics project idea? Could your project eliminate problematic plastics, reduce the total amount of packaging on supermarket shelves or stimulate innovation and new business models? Grant funding is competitive. Maximise your chance of securing a lucrative R&D grant by engaging with our experienced team of professional grant writers today.


May 26, 2021
← back to news
Get in touch
Thank you! We will be in touch shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More of our news

How SMEs Can Leverage the UK Government’s Sustainability Agenda for Growth
The UK government’s renewed focus on sustainability presents SMEs with an unprecedented opportunity to grow and thrive. From access to capital and job creation to simplified regulations and consumer demand for eco-friendly products, there are numerous ways SMEs can benefit from the government’s sustainability agenda.
September 11, 2024
Inspiring Innovation here in Wigan Borough
Start-up businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators of Wigan Borough - it’s time to get inspired. A support service tailored to your needs and circumstances is on offer through a Wigan Council scheme and could take your enterprise to the next level.The Inspiring Innovation programme launched earlier this year, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and dozens of businesses – from start-ups through to established firms - are already signed up.
August 30, 2024
Maxine Adam Joins Inventya Board as Non-Executive Director
We are delighted to welcome Maxine to our board," stated Aldo De Leonibus, CEO of Inventya. "Her expertise in business growth and innovation will be a tremendous asset as we continue to support our clients in navigating the complexities of scaling and achieving sustainable growth. Maxine's proven track record and deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem will enhance our strategic direction and client offerings.
August 27, 2024
Choosing the Right European Funding Instrument: EIC Accelerator vs. EIC Pathfinder
Both the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder are great opportunities for companies and researchers, with the ultimate goal of fostering innovation within the European Union. By understanding the unique features and purposes of each funding instrument, you can strategically choose the one that aligns best with your project's stage, goals, and funding requirements. Leveraging these instruments effectively can accelerate your journey from groundbreaking research to market leadership. Shape
August 14, 2024
3 Top Tips When Scaling Your Business
As your business grows, maintaining efficiency becomes critical. Streamline processes, automate where possible, and ensure your operations can handle increased volume without compromising quality. Key actions include
June 13, 2024
Simplify CRM with Bigin by Zoho: The Ultimate CRM Solution for R&D-Focused Small Businesses
At Inventya, we can be your partners in implementing Bigin into your operations, setting your team up with a system tailored to your bespoke business needs while ensuring scalability with your business growth. In essence, our Zoho and digital growth experts will guide you through effective implementation, leaving your team to concentrate on what it does best.
May 23, 2024