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Businesses, charities and social enterprises in Greater Manchester can now access 60% funding towards projects worth up to £25,000 following the launch of a new green innovation fund to support SMEs to meet net zero goals.
The grant scheme is being managed by research and development programme, Eco-I North West and will match fund capital investment for new products, processes and services from SMEs in the city-region. The £400,000 scheme aims to accelerate low carbon innovations from research to commercialisation by match funding prototypes, pilots and demonstration systems and is part of a wider a £14 million research and development programme to connect small businesses with the region’s universities.
Andy Pickard, Manager of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, which delivers the Eco-I NW programme, said:
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.”
Stockport-based Fibrestar Drums is one of the SMEs already working with Eco-I North West to innovate on alternative low-carbon products. Colin Pardoe, Managing Director, (pictured) said:
“For the last two years we have been innovating to produce Europe’s first conical and nestable 100% fibre (kraft) container primarily for the agricultural sector which is edible by livestock with no waste, as well as having 66% less CO2 than a plastic pail and helping soil enrichment which also acts as a carbon sink.
“Working with Lancaster University through the Eco-I NW programme we are driving that innovation forward to explore how we can apply our product to other materials for applications in other sectors. It is an exciting opportunity to access world-class academic expertise and facilities for innovation and develop solutions which will have a lasting impact on the environment, while supporting the growth of the business.”
Eco-I North West aims to work with more than 300 SMEs, supporting the development of 135 new innovative solutions which will save 3,850 tonnes of CO2. Further information about the programme, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is available from the Lancaster University website.