700611MACE (MicrowAve Cured Epoxy)ClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKBase Materials is a significant manufacturer and supplier of tooling board widely used to create tools used in the composites industry for the manufacture composite components. The construction of tools from tooling board results in high levels of waste (typically 50%) and because it is non-recyclable the majority of it ends up in landfill; furthermore tooling board which has a long curing cycle both at low and elevated temperatures which is energy intensive and inefficient. The reason for the long (up to 5 days) low temperature curing cycle is to avoid uncontrolled temperature excursions which can lead to overheating and fires. A potential solution is to use microwave energy to cure the resin as it has the potential to minimise thermal excursions and significantly reduce curing times. Whilst this may seem to be an attractive process from a technical point of view the economics of the technology has not been evaluated for tooling board and it is our proposal to review the logistics, economics, safety, IPR and potential end use markets as a desk research exercise.