REVOLUTIONISING the use of plastic is the aim of a new research £13.6million research hub at the University of Warwick.
Researchers from WMG at the university will work over the next seven years, alongside the University of Manchester and UCL, to improve the way durable plastics – commonly used in cars, buildings, and electronics – are created, reused, and recycled.
The goal of the Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics (SEP) is to reduce waste, support greener manufacturing practices, and advance the circular economy – where products are reused instead of thrown away.
The work is being supported from over 60 industry partners, including JLR, Polestar, Siemens, BEKO, Bellway, and Biffa, to tackle some of the UK’s biggest manufacturing challenges.
The WMG hub is one of four, backed by a total of £44 million through the EPSRC the new Manufacturing Research Hubs for a Sustainable Future will bring together world-class researchers with over 180 industry and civic partners to drive practical, sustainable innovation across the UK.
Each hub will focus on a different critical area of manufacturing, from creating net-zero supply chains and resilient production systems to transforming waste and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
SEP will be led by WMG Professor Ton Peijs.
He said: “We’re incredibly proud to lead this vital initiative. Until now, most sustainability efforts in plastics have focused on single-use items and packaging. Yet engineering plastics – essential to modern life – present equally complex sustainability challenges that have, until now, largely been overlooked.
“This hub unites researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to fundamentally rethink how engineering plastic parts are designed, reused, repaired and recycled. We’re focused on real-world impact: using greener materials, smarter manufacturing and recycling systems, and more sustainable supply chains.
“This grant underscores the urgent need for innovation in this space, and we’re excited to drive meaningful, lasting change.”
