Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability Conference 2024 (GRIPS 2024)
This year, Innovate UK are delighted to run GRIPS 2024 in partnership with the British Plastics Federation (BPF).
Why visit?
Now in its fourth year, the Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability Conference (GRIPS 2024) returns with a focus on bringing together companies, individuals and change-makers to highlight the best of UK – and select international – innovations and business models that will lead to more sustainable plastics.
This one-day hybrid event will be hosted by the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures with support from the Worshipful Company of Horners.
What’s on
Our hybrid conference focuses on the positives of plastics whilst ensuring they are less likely to reach landfill sites, end up incinerated or become fugitive in the environment. The Grantham Centre’s academic research tells us that switching from plastic to alternate materials will, in most cases, increase carbon emissions and therefore hasten climate change.
Over three parallel streams consisting of presentations and panel discussions, GRIPS 2024 will highlight innovations and core topics, including:
- plastic packaging – including reuse
- new recycling infrastructure – both mechanical and depolymerisation
- the role of AI in plastics sustainability
- green chemistry for polymers of the future
- emerging business models
- the role of additives in plastics sustainability
- the impact of legislation
- mitigating the effect of plastic on our oceans
- the world view of plastic – Global Plastics Treaty
Keynote sessions will be delivered by the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures plastics sustainability experts: Professor Tony Ryan, Professor Rachael Rothman and Dr Fanran Meng. These promise to be engaging, informative and show that plastics are valuable in a sustainable future.
Who attends?
Conference delegates have access to all 3 conference streams across the venue, the opportunity to visit exhibitors, and engage in networking sessions. GRIPS 2024 takes place on 19 September in Sheffield University’s building ‘The Wave’. We have limited spaces in person.
Partners
Related programme
UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN)
The UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN) aims to bring together the diverse users of plastic products and realise the best means for reducing plastic waste entering the environment through a programme of networking and knowledge-sharing events and related support activities.