Supply Chain Innovation towards a Circular Economy Partnering event, 21 October 2013, Manchester
Start date: 21/10/2013
Does your business have a problem with waste?, and does this cost you money? If so, you should attend this event.
Monday, 21 October 2013 from 10:00 to 15:30
Manchester
Our current linear model of ‘take-make-dispose’ is throwing up major economic and environmental challenges. Many materials are subject to price rises and volatility, and risks to our supply chains are growing. Furthermore the processing of materials generates a high proportion of our environmental impacts. Businesses that shift towards more resource efficient, circular systems and business models will benefit from reduced risks and enhanced value generation through brand differentiation.
In order to make this shift, we need to consider the system as a whole rather than focus on individual components or products. True co-creation is crucial from those involved in these lifecycles: designers and material experts, manufacturers and resource managers, brands and retailers, consumers, policy makers and government, investors and academics all working together.
The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is investing in new competitions in this area. First of all, “New Designs for a Circular Economy” funded 40 feasibility studies featuring novel design and business partnerships. This competition was supported by the “Great Recovery” project.
The next competition was “Design Challenges for a Circular Economy” which is funding larger business-led projects which will radically redesign products, components and services. Projects will demonstrate the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact, and be demonstrably informed by life cycle thinking. The focus is on projects which address materials of high global environmental impact, or materials which are considered ‘critical’. This competition closed for applications on 11 September.
The latest competition with this theme is focusing on supply chains. It is expected that projects will focus on novel design approaches and new business models to maximise retained value at the end-of-life before the material enters a general waste stream.
If you’re interested in learning more about this competition, hearing from past successful competition winners and networking with other businesses interested in applying then please join us at one of two free events in October.
Note that the Design Option is being offered in association with this latest competition. The Design Option helps companies considering leading a consortium to benefit from using design thinking right from the start of the project, before formulating their application. Applicants are being offered two days of free access to Design Mentors on a “first-come first-served” basis.
Together we hope to build new networks, identify the innovation gaps and incubate the new partnerships that will help us design future generations of products.
Event on 21 October in Manchester
Promoting the new £5m TSB competition in “supply chain innovation towards a circular economy” – to book, visit https://supplychainmanchester.eventbrite.co.uk
