Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM)

The programme aims for the UK to be a leader in resource efficiency with organisations understanding the environmental, social and economic impact of the full lifecycle and thriving from adoption of resource efficient solutions which are fundamental to UK and global Net Zero ambitions.

About the programme

Part of Innovate UK’s focus on net zero is the £15m Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM) programme. This includes the delivery of a number of ‘Sprint’ activities which aim to build a community of engaged people around a particular topic to debate barriers, challenges and identify key opportunities in moving towards increased resource efficiency.

REforMM is one of two programmes delivered under the Reimagining Materials and Manufacturing together banner and is designed to put in place the key building blocks to help businesses transform to a resource efficient future. It is informed by Innovate UK’s 2050 vision document which delves into the challenges and opportunities that lie in front of UK materials and manufacturing sectors as we transition to a sustainable, resilient and technologically advanced industry.

The Sprint activities align with key areas of focus in the vision, namely:

  • Materials for the future economy
  • Smart design
  • Resilient supply chains
  • World-class production
  • Longer in use and reuse

This programme aims for:

  • The UK to lead in resource efficiency
  • UK organisations to understand the environmental, social and economic impact of the full product lifecycle
  • UK organisations to thrive from the development and adoption of resource efficient solutions which are fundamental to UK and global net zero ambitions

Core focus areas of the programme

Materials for the future economy

FOCUS AREA

Materials for the future economy

New material applications for cutting-edge products that reduce emissions, energy consumption and costs.

Smart design

FOCUS AREA

Smart design

Effective design methods, design for resource efficiency, and design for maximum through-life value.

Resilient supply chains

FOCUS AREA

Resilient supply chains

Sustainable feedstocks, supply chain visibility, and co-location of waste and emission streams.

World-class production

FOCUS AREA

World-class production

Flexible production capacity, minimal material waste, high-quality products, high productivity, and full adaptivity.

Longer in use and reuse

FOCUS AREA

Longer in use and reuse

Minimising materials use and waste, practising complete traceability, and using new remanufacturing services.


Feasibility study competition

Innovate UK launched the REforMM feasibility competition with the aim to support UK materials and manufacturing organisations to become more resource efficient. Simultaneous demonstrations of how UK materials and manufacturing will become more resilient or technologically advanced were encouraged.

20 participants have been selected to take part in the first stage of the competition, with a number of these projects having been supported by the Transforming Foundation Industries (TFI) challenge. The range and scope of their ideas is truly impressive, including:

  • Chip[s] Board Ltd is creating sustainable cost-effective technologies for L-Lactic acid production from UK food wastes.
  • BatchW Limited is revolutionising traceability and manufacturer responsibility to support the remanufacture of raw materials.
  • Pra World Limited is improving paint industry circularity, from waste paint to new paint opacifiers.

The businesses will each receive a share of £1 million to complete feasibility studies for their projects.

Our Experts

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
23
Jan
2024

Materials for Future Economy Workshop Series

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

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Programme related to Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM)

Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM)

Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM)

The sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture (SusBioMM) programme seeks to address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.

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Manufacturing Vision 2050

The design of the funding programme has been informed by Innovate UK's Manufacturing Vision for 2050. The document is a re-imagination of materials and manufacturing together, delving into the challenges and opportunities that lie in front of the UK materials and manufacturing sectors over the next 30 years. With more than 170 recent references analysed and more than 120 stakeholders consulted, this is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind. Click here to read more.

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