Materials

The Materials Team at Innovate UK Business Connect covers a broad scope of the materials life cycle, from feedstock, processing techniques, design and manufacture, testing, standardisation, resource efficiency and circularity.

We have strong engagement with the entire value chain, from academic researchers, materials developers through to end-users who make products from these materials and businesses who manage end-of-product life issues.  We add value in making the connections that matter.

Materials underpin many applications in our economy. Innovative materials science, engineering and technologies make direct and positive impact on economic growth, the environment and quality of life, through improved processes and products, throughout their lifecycle. The impact of materials is forecast to be even greater as businesses respond to the growing trend in electrification of transport, the drive towards net zero emissions and a comprehensive digital economy.

As a team, we work with industry to make sure that new developments in materials find a useful home to improve the UK economy, environment and quality of life. We bring together the materials supply chain to accelerate innovation, improve productivity and ensure resilience in meeting the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users.

Our current focus in this area

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.

The Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging activity at Innovate UK Business Connect is proactively driving engagement and collaboration as part of the core programme of the UKRI ISCF Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge (SSPP).

Situated in our industrial heartlands, these sectors include metals, ceramics, glass, chemicals, paper and cement, producing 28m tonnes of material per year, and are worth £52bn annually to the UK economy.

Composite materials consist of two different materials different physical and chemical properties. When they are combined, they create a composite material which has superior properties to the original two materials.

Textiles are everywhere in modern society. Technical Textiles are defined as materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical and performance properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.

Graphene and other novel two-dimensional (2D) materials have sustained strong interest from academia and industry owing to their unique combination of material properties. These properties, which include strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, are found to be superior to those exhibited by other advanced materials.

Metamaterials are artificial composite materials, engineered to exhibit unique electromagnetic properties. Metamaterial devices are poised to grow to $10.7 billion globally by 2030 in 5G networks, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, and more.

Smart Functional Materials are defined as those materials that change significantly one or more of their physical or chemical native properties when subjected to changes in their environment, thus rendering them stimuli-responsive.

Ceramics and glass materials exhibit high strength, high elastic modulus and are electrical and thermal insulators. Advanced ceramics and glasses are engineered to optimise its mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties.

Related Opportunities

Innovation Exchange challenge: Innovations to Produce Sustainable, Biobased MDA for the Manufacture of PEEK

Opens: 01/02/2024 Closes: 15/03/2024

Victrex is seeking innovative solutions to produce sustainable biobased MDA (4,4’-methylene dianiline), a precursor in the PEEK manufacturing process.

More Information

Global Cement and Concrete Association: Innovandi Open Challenge 2024

Opens: 19/02/2024 Closes: 15/04/2024

GCCA are looking for start-ups working on Carbon Capture Use and Storage for low carbon concrete.

More Information

Global Business Innovation Programme in Australia - Critical Minerals for Electrification

Opens: 21/02/2024 Closes: 05/04/2024

Innovate UK is inviting companies with expertise in mid-stream processing of Australian raw materials to participate in the Global Business Innovation Programme with a market visit to Australia.

More Information

Royal Society Industry Fellowships, February 2024

Opens: 14/02/2024 Closes: 10/04/2024

The Industry Fellowships enable the mobility of talented scientists and engineers from industry and academia in order to move between the sectors.

More Information

UK-South Korea CR&D 2024

Opens: 26/02/2024 Closes: 22/05/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £6m for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with South Korea.

More Information

Innovate UK Smart grants: January 2024

Opens: 18/01/2024 Closes: 24/04/2024

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25m for game-changing R&D that can significantly impact the UK economy.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
19
Mar
2024

Materials for Future Economy Workshop Series

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Register for this event
Wed
5
Jul
2023

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, Phase 3 Consultation

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

Innovate UK announces the Concrete Commitment Cohort

04/01/2024

Innovate UK announces the Concrete Commitment Cohort

Innovate UK is pleased to announce the formation of the Concrete Commitment Cohort (CCC) alongside the launch of a funding competition to accelerate commercial adoption of lower carbon concrete.

Read more
Mobilising demand for low carbon materials to achieve rapid industrial decarbonisation

20/07/2023

Mobilising demand for low carbon materials to achieve rapid industrial decarbonisation

On 24th May, Innovate UK, First Movers Coalition (FMC) and Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) co-convened a roundtable discussion to understand how demand for low carbon materials can rapidly decarbonise industry. The discussion centred on two key questions: why does demand matter and how can it be harnessed to decarbonise industry at scale and pace?

Read more
More News

Related programmes

Metamaterials Landscape Map

Metamaterials Landscape Map

Connecting the value chain of the UK Metamaterials community with industry, research expertise and business support to drive commercialisation.

Net Zero Chemicals Landscape

Net Zero Chemicals Landscape

Connecting the UK’s growing Chemicals community with industrial collaborators, research-base expertise, investment opportunities and funders.

Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains

Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains

This £15 million programme will support the development of resilient UK based supply chains for rare earth elements, with a focus on primary (mine to magnet) and secondary (End of Life to magnet) supply chains.

For general enquiries regarding our Materials sector contact us now

Close

Connect with Innovate UK Business Connect

Join Innovate UK Business Connect's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access Innovate UK Business Connect's deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.