Episode 72: Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration
Sep 6, 2023
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Discussing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in the UK foundation industries to drive sustainability and innovation. Featuring insights on Flue2Chem project aiming to produce valuable materials from greenhouse gas emissions. Guests from Innovate UK and Unilever share their perspectives. Exploring carbon capture technology, waste repurposing, and sustainable supply chains for a cleaner future.
Cross-sector collaboration accelerates innovation in foundational industries for sustainability.
Flue2Chem project demonstrates value creation from industrial greenhouse gas emissions collaboration.
Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge aims for cleaner, more competitive sector through funding and support.
Future of foundational industries envisions decarbonization and sustainable practices by 2050.
Importance of circular economy principles in utilizing waste carbon for value-added materials.
Technological advancements drive affordability of sustainable practices for long-term commercial viability.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge
The podcast episode introduces the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, which focuses on driving innovation and collaboration in material science and engineering. The challenge aims to address significant societal and environmental issues by transforming foundational industries towards sustainability and efficiency. By bringing together industry experts, researchers, and government funding, the initiative seeks to revolutionize the production processes and materials used in various industries for a more sustainable future.
Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Material Science
The discussion highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in material science, emphasizing the broad nature of the field that encompasses various materials like ceramics, polymers, metals, and composites. The guests, including representatives from UKRI and Unilever, discuss the need for intentional collaboration across industries and supply chains to enhance innovation and sustainability. Examples such as the Flutacam project demonstrate how collaborative efforts can lead to ecologically sound solutions across material science applications.
Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge Origins and Goals
The podcast delves into the origins of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, explaining how the UK government's substantial investment in addressing industry challenges led to the creation of this initiative. The main goal of the challenge is to tackle longstanding industry barriers by promoting collaboration among diverse foundation sectors. With a total investment of approximately £150 million, the challenge focuses on driving collaborative research and development efforts within the industry.
Sustainable Transformation and Future Prospects
Looking towards the future, the episode explores how foundational industries are expected to evolve by the year 2050. The emphasis is on massive decarbonization and a shift towards using more sustainable raw materials and production processes. The discussion predicts a significant transformation in these industries, with a vision of increased sustainability, resource efficiency, and a growing number of innovative companies reshaping the sector's landscape.
Acknowledgments and Call to Action
As the episode concludes, acknowledgments are extended to UKRI and other sponsors for their support in driving innovation in material science. The hosts urge listeners to engage with the podcast through social media and provide feedback. They also emphasize the importance of leaving reviews to help the show reach a wider audience. Additionally, the episode promotes the upcoming episodes that will delve into various topics related to sustainability and innovation in material science.
Sponsorship Messages and Contacts
The episode includes sponsorship messages from Innovate UK, UKRI, and Materials Today, highlighting their roles in promoting innovation and research in material science. Listeners are encouraged to explore resources and opportunities provided by these sponsors. Contact information and social media details for the podcast are also shared, inviting engagement and feedback from the audience.
Insights on Carbon Capture and Circular Economy
Insights on carbon capture technologies and their commercial viability are discussed in the podcast, emphasizing the potential for decarbonizing industries. Examples like sustainable aviation fuel production showcase the transformative impact of utilizing captured carbon for various applications. The guests delve into the importance of circular economy principles in utilizing waste carbon effectively to create value-added materials.
Commercial Viability and Affordability of Sustainable Practices
The episode addresses the economic aspects of transitioning to sustainable practices, indicating initial cost implications for technologies like carbon capture relative to traditional methods. While acknowledging current cost disparities, the discussion emphasizes the trajectory towards increased affordability through technological advancements and scale. A focus on techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessments aims to refine and optimize sustainability practices for long-term commercial viability.
Future Challenges and Industry Reshaping
Challenges and opportunities for the future of foundational industries are explored, with a focus on overcoming barriers to industry-wide sustainability transformations. The podcast guests envision a future where regulations drive sustainable practices, emphasizing the need for a systemic shift towards renewable energy and low-carbon feedstocks. The discussions highlight the critical role of public and private collaboration in fostering innovation and driving sector-wide sustainability.
Transformation and Innovation in Material Science
The episode concludes with a reflection on the evolving landscape of material science, indicating a paradigm shift towards sustainable and innovative practices. The emphasis is on fostering a culture of demand-led innovation and collaboration across industry sectors, driving towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The guests express optimism about the industry's potential for radical transformation and the emergence of new players reshaping the foundational industries.
Closing Remarks and Encouragement for Engagement
In the closing segment, the hosts express gratitude to sponsors and listeners, encouraging engagement with the podcast through social media channels and reviews. The episode wraps up with an invitation for audience participation in upcoming initiatives and discussions on material science topics. The podcast aims to inspire a community of innovators and sustainability champions who are committed to driving positive change in the industry.
The UK foundation industries (chemicals, ceramics, glass, paper, cement and metals) face common challenges to ensure they benefit in the transformation to a more sustainable future. Cross-sector collaboration is essential to share best practice and optimize use of energy and resources. The Innovate UK Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge has brought together these sectors to collaborate and accelerate innovation and one example project is Flue2Chem, which involves 15 partners in metals and chemicals industries with the goal of producing valuable materials from industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Why is cross-sector collaboration so important and how are the benefits being since today and expected to change into the future?
This episode was sponsored by the Innovate UK Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge. This challenge is providing funding and support to create a cleaner, more efficient and more competitive sector that is fit for our future. Find out more by searching ‘Transforming Foundation Industries’ or going to this link.
Guests:
Bruce Adderley - Challenge Director – Transforming Foundation Industries - Innovate UK
Al Sanderson - Platform Leader Carbon Rainbow, Home Care Advanced Materials and Surface Science - Unilever
Thanks to Kolobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show!
If you have questions or feedback please send us emails at materialism.podcast@gmail.com or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter.
Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-creator,co-host), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing).
Keywords: UKRI Cross-Sector Collaboration
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