Sustainable Smart Factory competition

Up to £20m for digital innovation projects to improve the resource efficiency and energy efficiency of manufacturing processes in factories

The Made Smarter Innovation programme, delivered by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has launched a new collaborative research and development competition focusing on sustainable smart factories. The £20 million Sustainable Smart Factory competition presents an opportunity to launch a wide range of projects that bring a significant benefit to the planet, helping to achieve net zero.

Consortiums of UK registered businesses and organisations can apply for a share of up to £20 million for digital innovation projects that will reduce the carbon emissions of manufacturing processes in factories. The aim of the competition is to support the development of digital innovations to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes, resulting in either reduced material or reduced energy consumption.

Applications are encouraged from consortiums comprising a mix of manufacturing and technology development capabilities working together on innovative developments or novel applications of digital technologies. Projects can:

• range from £1 million to £8 million
• run for up to two years
• tackle themes such as reducing in-process material losses, better sequencing manufacturing operations to reduce energy consumption

Find out more about the Sustainable Smart Factory competition, the eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

The competition is open to applications until 11am on 26 January 2022.

First published 19 November 2021