Public Funding for B. & M. Longworth (Edgworth) Limited

Composite materials have been used for decades and have found their way into almost every industrial sector, mainly due to their outstanding material properties and lightweight benefits. Today, 2.5 million tonnes of composite material are used globally in the renewable energy sector. It is estimated that there are 12-15 tonnes of glass fibre reinforced plastic per MW of power. Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) represents the majority of the £54.5billion global market for composites. Over one million tonnes are produced annually in Europe alone, with the construction, infrastructure and transport sectors accounting for almost 70% of that figure. The growing use of glass fibres has increased concern about their waste disposal methods. Tonnes of composite waste containing valuable glass fibres have been accumulating every year from various applications. It is imperative that composite wastes are recycled using a cost-effective methodology with minimal environmental impact. The wind energy sector alone is expected to decommission 40,000 to 60,000 tonnes of composite materials in the next two years. The EMPHASIZING project will address the challenge of recycling composite structures that are currently landfilled or incinerated and will develop a viable value chain to exploit the resulting recyclates. Wind turbine blades, automotive and marine parts will be considered, processed and analysed, and the relevant "roadmaps" will be developed and assessed. The consortium will demonstrate the circular economy concept by fabricating relevant automotive end-products made from upcycled glass fibre materials. The methodology proposed by the consortium introduces a technical step change from state-of-the-art processes such as pyrolysis and solvolysis. This, in turn, allows for a commercial innovation; the high-yield reclamation of high-quality, clean, reusable fibres, free from residues and with retained length, properties almost to virgin materials. Composites UK's Vision and Roadmap for Sustainable Composites depicts a future scenario where by 2040 composites to be a 'go to' material in mobility. This includes the transition through another generation of vehicles (c 2030) where composite use has increased, to replace metallic parts, allowing for the 2040 generation where composite materials are widespread as standard materials. The EMPHASIZING solution impact includes the introduction of low-cost high-quality, high yield reclaimed fibres into production, thus supporting the vision for the industry at 2030 and beyond.

Public description We plan to reduce and reuse the waste from fast fashion sales Recycling and recovering would deliver a significant reduction in CO2 and generate a valuable new revenue stream reducing the reliance on our planet's raw materials. The innovation aims to reduce and recover the volume of waste going to landfill and incineration, whilst reducing carbon footprint. If this waste could be successfully removed from the residual waste stream and recycled, this could: * make a significant positive contribution to overall recycling and landfill rates * deliver a low energy recycling solution * reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, or burning. * reuse materials - BML anticipate the full recovery of remaining raw materials to be reused in manufacturing, delivering a sustainable solution. Our aspiration is for the materials to be reused. Project proposal is to assess the feasibility of applying two forms of BML technology to fashion waste. Stage 1 Reduce its mass by more than 75% Stage 2 Reclaim remainder for reusable constituent parts A winning partnership; * Customers with many years of experience handling fashion waste * BML - over 40 years experience innovating, developing and optimising reclamation technologies * **Primary Theme:** Enhancing The Benefits And Value Of Our Natural Resources - will contribute to the UK government objective of being a Zero Avoidable Waste economy by 2050\. * **Secondary Theme:** Innovating For A More Sustainable fashion business - will reduce the carbon footprint.

By 2041 the ageing population is set to double in volume which also means increase in the resulting waste. Currently our estimated CO2 emissions for incontinence waste (4 tonnes per week) based on our current waste volumes is 95,000kg CO2 pa. Our current waste transport emissions are 5,000-7,000 kg CO2 pa. Recycling and recovering would deliver a significant reduction in CO2 and generate a valuable new revenue stream reducing the reliance on our planet's raw materials. LES want to deliver a circular economy of Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) for incontinence, feminine hygiene, non-infectious hospital waste and nappies. The innovation aims to reduce and recover the volume of waste going to landfill and incineration, whilst reducing carbon footprint. If this waste could be successfully removed from the residual waste stream and recycled, this could: * make a significant positive contribution to overall recycling and landfill rates * deliver a low energy recycling solution * reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill. (89% of an average used nappy is biodegradable) * reduce hospital waste - LES aim to recycle and recover AHP from NHS trusts, delivering environmental and commercial savings to the tax-payer * reuse materials - LES anticipate the full recovery of raw materials to be reused in manufacturing, delivering a sustainable solution. Our aspiration is for the materials to be reused in AHP production (currently unsustainable wood fluff pulp and plastics) * reprocess materials - based on our research and a European study on the fibre market we have identified established uses for reclaimed fibre and plastics, including plastic pellets, roof tiles, trunking, AHP containers, bollards Project proposal is to assess the feasibility of applying two forms of BML technology to AHP waste in two stages: **Stage 1** Reduce its mass by more than 75% **Stage 2** Reclaim remainder for reusable constituent parts A winning partnership; * Pilot customer - 30 years of experience handling AHP waste * BML - over 40 years experience innovating, developing and optimising reclamation technologies * **Primary Theme**: Enhancing The Benefits And Value Of Our Natural Resources - will contribute to the UK government objective of being a Zero Avoidable Waste economy by 2050\. * **Secondary Theme**: Innovating For A More Sustainable Public Sector - will reduce the carbon footprint of the NHS - 'The NHS is responsible for around a third of public sector carbon emissions'

To develop and embed expertise to identify and exploit new applications of the superheated steam process which will allow entry to new markets for commercial and environmental benefits.