<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/DFE07772-73F7-431F-A19A-5070416D5DB7" ns1:id="DFE07772-73F7-431F-A19A-5070416D5DB7"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/C86FE9EC-35C3-47F9-961E-281007768383" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/026B1A6B-EEB5-48AA-85ED-327614E0A9B7" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/026B1A6B-EEB5-48AA-85ED-327614E0A9B7" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2026-09-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/E986A473-3003-4F21-8018-C6F38B7D1CF2" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2024-12-01T00:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10132606</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>LIGNOO (Lignin Based Water Bottle)</ns2:title><ns2:status>Active</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Grant for R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>The LIGNOO project reimagines children's water bottles for sustainability. Each day, babies in the UK ingest an alarming 3.1 million microplastic particles from plastic feeding bottles during their first year of life, a stark reminder of the pervasive plastic pollution problem (Statista, 2020). While some bottles are made of stainless steel or recycled polymers, all current designs rely on fossil-based materials for components like the lid, spout, straw, press-on buttons, or metal hinges. The numerous parts make these bottles difficult to clean and recycle.

LIGNOO takes a holistic approach by using biomaterials, minimising unnecessary parts, and simplifying the design of the entire product. The bottles are durable, functional, and easy to disassemble, ensuring they are used longer and can be recycled. This cradle-to-cradle concept focuses on the entire product life cycle, employing lean manufacturing principles to create a truly sustainable solution.

However, finding the right bio-based material is challenging. These materials must meet high mechanical and toxicity standards, as well as manufacturing and performance requirements, such as preventing leaks in the assembly and not degrading in contact with water. While new bio-based options are emerging, their applications and industrial adoption are limited. LIGNOO rigorously assesses material suitability, manufacturability, and performance to find the ideal balance.

While material suitability and design considerations are crucial for bringing this product to life, adoption by the public hinges on educating them about the dangers and limitations of existing products. LIGNOO intents to build a community that educates parents on what truly constitutes sustainability in products and how to discern genuine sustainability, empowering them to make informed decisions.

The aim of LIGNOO is to demonstrate the feasibility of launching a truly sustainable, UK-made product. It also acts as an example for other businesses to follow the same path, showcasing how purpose-driven missions can lead to success beyond financial gains. LIGNOO embodies SLN Sustainability's commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>