Corrosion costs the world economy an estimated $2.5 trillion dollars every year and is responsible for 3.2% of the worlds CO2 emissions. Traditional inhibitors used to combat corrosion are based on toxic or critical raw materials. However, Hexigone Inhibitors, a highly innovative UK SME based in South Wales, provides a patented new-to-market corrosion inhibitor product formulated using sustainable earth abundant materials. Hexigone's products provide longer lasting coatings protecting assets for increased periods, thus resulting in improved in service lifetimes, reducing the need to replace or repair. Through a recent feasibility study, Hexigone has identified the potential to reuse/recycle a chemical industry end-of-life waste stream as a raw material input for its manufacturing process. Specifically, the use of ion exchange resin by pharmaceutical and food industries runs into hundreds of thousands of tonnes of material every year, with end-of-life products going to landfill or incineration. This project will demonstrate that it is possible to formulate Hexigone's product using 67% recycled/re-used material, thus reducing waste incinerated or sent to landfill, whilst also improving Hexigone's competitiveness through cost savings. The **Recycled Elements for Paint Advancement and Innovation towards a Resilient Environment (REPAIR)** project focuses on leveraging recycled resin products to create advanced, sustainable solutions for the paint industry. The REPAIR project demonstrates a commitment to innovation and resilience, paving the way for greener industrial practices. Objectives: 1. **Sustainability**: Reduce environmental impact by repurposing resin waste and minimising reliance on virgin materials. 2. **Innovation**: Develop high-performance coatings that meet industry standards using recycled materials. 3. **Commercialisation**: Position the product as a market-ready, Eco-friendly alternative, aligning with growing demand for sustainable solutions. Approach: * **Material Development**: Adapt recycled resin for high-quality paint formulations. * **Process Optimisation**: Establish efficient, cost-effective recycling and production workflows. * **Market Validation**: Engage stakeholders, conduct rigorous testing, and ensure regulatory compliance to build confidence in the product. Benefits: * **Environmental**: Reduction in landfill waste and carbon footprint, fostering a circular economy. * **Economic**: Enhanced competitiveness and creation of new market opportunities in sustainable coatings. * **Social**: Contributing to global sustainability goals, benefiting communities and taxpayers alike.

Hexigone's patented technology is changing the world of corrosion protection with their smart active reservoir technology that increase the lifecycle of assets in a more intelligent manner. Hexigone would like to investigate the use of a raw material that has historically gone to landfill or incineration, processing it into their intelli-ion technology. The intelligent-ion products are already replacing toxic heavy metal based inhibitors, providing assets with a longer lifecycle, reducing costs but also reducing the drain on the worlds resources. Hexigone would like to take this sustainability approach to their products and utilise raw materials that would result in 63% of the final product sourced from recycled materials. The grant provided will enable the Hexigone team to expand their capability to investigate the waste materials stream and quickly make an impact, changing to the new material source at the end of 9 months. The results of the grant funded program would fast forward an idea to reality, by being able to create time with extra resource to solely look at recycled products as a credible source of raw materials for the Intelli-ion product range, accelerating an idea and impact by 3-4 years.

MaCRoSCoPIC

Hexigone and Swansea University are designing a coating that is self healing and 'intelligent' as it will only heal itself when the coating is compromised. The coating will enable a longer lifespan of the product and is more environmentally friendly than current coatings.

Hexigone Inhibitors Ltd is a spin-out company from Swansea University. It was created to commercialise a a high-performance, smart-release, corrosion protection technology that was developed to replace highly toxic chemicals that are currently widely used. The pupose of this project is to develop global business opportunities that will allow Hexigone to enter new geographical and sectoral markets resulting in UK exports, job creation and economic growth.