New funding to reduce plastic packaging environmental impact

The competition is looking to fund bold research and development projects that are well developed, but not yet at large commercial demonstration scale and that focus on solving the well-known issues with the sustainability of plastic packaging.

The aim is to drive a true shift from a linear to a circular economy solution for plastic packaging.

Businesses working on innovative ideas for plastic packaging reduction, re-use, refill and behaviour change are encouraged to apply for funding.

Paul Davidson, Challenge Director for the SSPP challenge, said: “The Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging programme is dedicated to supporting innovative projects that will have real-world benefits in reducing plastic waste in the environment. We’ve already seen some exciting projects as a result of our programme.

“We are now looking for more projects that can make a big impact on the 2025 UK Plastics Pact targets and that focus on much-needed solutions for packaging reduction, re-use, refill and changing consumer behaviour when it comes to plastic packaging use.”

The SSPP aims to establish the UK as a leading innovator in smart and sustainable plastic packaging for consumer products, with £60 million in funding from ISCF which will be complemented by £149 million from industry.

The maximum grant available will be £4 million, subject to the competition’s rules and additional details on funding availability and associated conditions for the competition are available on the Innovate UK Funding Services platform.

The competition closes on 8 September 2021.

Read more and apply.