Innovation in Plastics
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The European plastics industry is a multi-billion pound industry (approx. £19bn value to the UK economy alone), with the strongest commitment to the highest standards in the health, safety, quality and performance of its products. Around 25 per cent of global demand for plastic products is produced by European manufacturers, with the UK being the 3rd largest producer within Europe. PlasticsEurope – the European Plastics Raw Materials Association – produce an annual market analysis of European plastics demand, which can be downloaded in full as a PDF HERE. The UK has always been a traditionally innovative country, approaching legislative and environmental challenges with gusto. UK companies are one amongst the most innovative companies in the world today, with a strong heritage of ingenuity, science, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Polymer manufacturing within the UK encompasses the whole supply chain – from raw material, to processors, recyclers and machinery manufacturers, with many companies spread around the UK. Contained within these pages, you will find key areas of information on the plastics industry and how we as the BPF can help SME’s. UK FUNDING
In terms of innovation, the UK is at the forefront of the polymer industry across Europe, with the UK Government offering a variety of support schemes for the broader industry. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) - [which is funded through the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills] - has the sole aim of delivering economic growth by stimulating business-led innovation Further information on the TSB and how they can support your business can be found HERE
EUROPEAN FUNDING
There are however a multitude of other schemes for SME's, made available through our close relationship with Brussels. Through the Framework Programme 7 scheme, UK companies received several billion Euro’s worth of support – directly through SME programmes and more indirectly through SME-Association schemes. The largest part of FP7, 'cooperation' funds research activities involving work across different countries in a range of 10 areas, including: Although the FP7 scheme has now completed, the UK has been one of the strongest players within the Framework Programme scheme, with only Germany receiving a greater proportion of projects in terms of funding awarded. Recent European Commission data, which contains information and data relevant to a total of 9,073 signed grant agreements, indicates the UK received the second largest share of funding, €2.282 million, equivalent to 14.4% of all the total FP7 funding. UK academia is one of the leading lights within European funding circles too – showing that science, innovation & collaboration is alive and well in the UK. UK academia accounted for 60.3% of all UK participations and 9.7% of all FP7 funding, with SMEs accounting for 16.5% of all UK participations. With the demise of the FP7 scheme and the onset of Horizon 2020, the BPF looks forward to participating in further projects, on behalf of our members, but also looking to support applications where possible.
Horizon 2020 is the biggest European Research and Innovation programme ever undertaken. There is nearly €80bn of funding available from 2014 to 2020. The scheme promises more breakthroughs, by providing the investment to make those great ideas, practical. The scheme is a massive European wide drive to create jobs and boost European competitiveness, in the face of increased competition from other regions such as Asia and Asia Pacific. Horizon 2020 will place a strong emphasis on outstanding science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges, so too ensuring better collaboration between public and private sectors, especially in bringing those initial great ideas to market. Horizon 2020 is open to everyone, with a simple structure that reduces red tape and time so participants can focus on what is really important. This approach makes sure new projects get off the ground quickly – and achieve results much more quickly.The calls, to be published by the EC, will be less prescriptive than the FP7 scheme, with a much stronger emphasis on expected impacts. The BPF is here to help:The BPF continues to work hard to develop its project portfolio to benefit the industry by helping it create a competitive advantage, whilst becoming more sustainable. Projects recently participated in include: Lightfoam, Nanoflex and UltraFibre. The BPF is involved in a number of projects funded by the European Commission 7th Framework programme and are looking forward to the Horizon 2020 scheme. Horizon 2020, which launched its first calls in 2013, has seen a fundamental change in the way EU Projects are funded - primarily with the removal of a specific "funding for SME-Associations" scheme. That being said, there are still plenty of opportunities for companies and Trade Associations alike to exploit the funding on offer. We have a number of seminars throughout the year, aimed at supporting industry, which you can view here. Also through our Business Support Network, we are able to offer our members improved rates from a number of high-profile companies. Through our website, we are also able to bring key innovations to both our members and to the public at large. We have seen “plastipedia” and “plastbook” as recent additions to our website – “plastipedia” offers a unique understanding of the plastics family and of the main manufacturing processes. “Plastbook” is a unique tool, where members are able to sign-up (free of charge), share experiences and answer posted questions, generating genuine business leads for your company. For more information on any of our projects, events and trade shows or membership, please contact the BPF on 0207 457 5000. |
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