UK Manufacturing Symbiosis NetworkPlus (UKMSN+)
Lead Research Organisation:
Aston University
Department Name: College of Business and Social Sciences
Abstract
Industrial symbiosis is a fundamental building block of the circular economy, for it provides a means to generate industrial competitiveness and sustainability through the creation of manufacturing ecosystems involving networks of organisations that generate new economic value through the continuous exchange of resources (materials and energy).
Manufacturing firms are embracing the opportunities of circular economy approaches as a means to save costs, prevent disruptions in materials input and generate additional revenue from waste streams. Despite the increase in circular economy practices within key manufacturing sectors (food, automotive, electronics, plastics, etc.), the industrial symbiosis capability of the UK manufacturing industry as a whole is still underexploited, with most of the circular economy initiatives being developed in sectoral silos. This fragmented condition holds the economy back from achieving better circular economy performance overall. To unlock the untapped circular economy potential of the manufacturing industry in the UK, a cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis approach is timely and necessary.
To address this gap we propose the creation of the UK Manufacturing Symbiosis NetworkPlus (UKMSN+), which will promote, support, facilitate and stimulate the creation of a UK-wide community of academics and practitioners who will address the challenges above mentioned with basis on the central question of 'how the industrial symbiosis capability of the UK manufacturing industry as a whole can be galvanised within sectors and fertilised across sectors?'
The UKMSN+ will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to exploiting enabling mechanisms and tools to facilitate and support the development of industrial symbiosis synergies in the UK manufacturing industry, this way improving the overall circular economy competence and competitiveness of manufacturing businesses across key sectors of the economy.
The development of manufacturing symbiosis 'capabilities' aimed at enabling industrial transformations toward the circular economy calls for scientific advancements and innovations in three domains: Business models, Digital systems, and Materials. These three domains represent key enablers of the circular economy, as they respectively refer to production, technological and resource capabilities that have direct impact on the modus operandi of manufacturing organisations. Structural elements such as the quality of logistics and transport systems, collaborative business relationships, policy and regulations are also critical factors to enable circular economy capabilities. The underlying manufacturing symbiosis topic of the network provides a clear and well-defined field of manufacturing research for the network to focus its activities in a cohesive way.
The activities of the network will establish the basis for the development of further research that can promote significant scientific and practical advancements on manufacturing symbiosis capabilities that enable deeper, rather than peripheral, industrial transformations toward the circular economy. Our view is that the manufacturing industry in the UK has a significant, but latent, potential to accelerate the shift to the circular economy. The network will strengthen the manufacturing industry contribution to circular economy research, praxis, strategy and policy making by establishing a common field and a unique world-leading forum to amalgamate multi-disciplinary knowledge on production models, digital technologies and materials science purposefully aimed at the circular economy.
Manufacturing firms are embracing the opportunities of circular economy approaches as a means to save costs, prevent disruptions in materials input and generate additional revenue from waste streams. Despite the increase in circular economy practices within key manufacturing sectors (food, automotive, electronics, plastics, etc.), the industrial symbiosis capability of the UK manufacturing industry as a whole is still underexploited, with most of the circular economy initiatives being developed in sectoral silos. This fragmented condition holds the economy back from achieving better circular economy performance overall. To unlock the untapped circular economy potential of the manufacturing industry in the UK, a cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis approach is timely and necessary.
To address this gap we propose the creation of the UK Manufacturing Symbiosis NetworkPlus (UKMSN+), which will promote, support, facilitate and stimulate the creation of a UK-wide community of academics and practitioners who will address the challenges above mentioned with basis on the central question of 'how the industrial symbiosis capability of the UK manufacturing industry as a whole can be galvanised within sectors and fertilised across sectors?'
The UKMSN+ will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to exploiting enabling mechanisms and tools to facilitate and support the development of industrial symbiosis synergies in the UK manufacturing industry, this way improving the overall circular economy competence and competitiveness of manufacturing businesses across key sectors of the economy.
The development of manufacturing symbiosis 'capabilities' aimed at enabling industrial transformations toward the circular economy calls for scientific advancements and innovations in three domains: Business models, Digital systems, and Materials. These three domains represent key enablers of the circular economy, as they respectively refer to production, technological and resource capabilities that have direct impact on the modus operandi of manufacturing organisations. Structural elements such as the quality of logistics and transport systems, collaborative business relationships, policy and regulations are also critical factors to enable circular economy capabilities. The underlying manufacturing symbiosis topic of the network provides a clear and well-defined field of manufacturing research for the network to focus its activities in a cohesive way.
The activities of the network will establish the basis for the development of further research that can promote significant scientific and practical advancements on manufacturing symbiosis capabilities that enable deeper, rather than peripheral, industrial transformations toward the circular economy. Our view is that the manufacturing industry in the UK has a significant, but latent, potential to accelerate the shift to the circular economy. The network will strengthen the manufacturing industry contribution to circular economy research, praxis, strategy and policy making by establishing a common field and a unique world-leading forum to amalgamate multi-disciplinary knowledge on production models, digital technologies and materials science purposefully aimed at the circular economy.
Planned Impact
The network will create a number of pathways to impact based upon the creation of a critical mass of academics, practitioners and policy makers who will bring purposeful manufacturing research, practice and policy-making into the mainstream of circular economy developments.
To achieve this, the knowledge creation and knowledge transference initiatives developed over the 3-year period of this project will lay important foundations for future research and practice in the area, establishing a clear point of convergence for the development of more focused and cohesive activities that can effectively bring significant improvements in manufacturing symbiosis capabilities. The network will also promote the start of new relevant projects and support them to the stage of successfully progressing to follow-up studies and obtaining follow-on funding.
The network will proactively develop strong relationships with key stakeholders in order to enable adoption of the knowledge generated from the network by academia, industry and policy makers. For instance, from the outset the UKMSN+ Advisory Board (described in the Management Plan document) will comprise influential partners who represent industry, academia, government and scientific sectors. The Board will be instrumental in facilitating close interactions between network members and other stakeholders. This process will allow the network to align its activities and outputs with core activities and interests of stakeholders, which will significantly improve achievement of the expected impacts mentioned below.
Impact on business model innovations: Particular research impacts the network will enable in this area are: 1. Design and implementation of circular supply chains supporting closed-loop of materials across diverse manufacturing sectors; 2. Implementation of distributed manufacturing approaches to enable wider manufacturing symbiosis ecosystems; 3. Adoption of industrial symbiosis strategies as core circular economy initiatives in the manufacturing industry.
Impact on digital technologies and systems: The network will explore radical developments on digital technologies and systems based on cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, smart apps and integrative software architecture supporting the development digital information hubs in the cloud. Advancements in these areas will be specifically oriented to improve manufacturing symbiosis capabilities and enable the implementation of the restorative manufacturing business ecosystems above mentioned. The network will explore innovations up to TRL levels 3 or 4 (proof of concept demonstrated experimentally or development of components validated in laboratory). We expect to impact academics and Catapult technology centres to build upon and bring these initial developments up to higher TRL levels.
Impact on materials science and engineering: The network will explore the development of novel materials with properties more suitable to sustain industrial symbiosis processes. The durability and reusability capacity of materials to enable longer use, reuse and transformation cycles will be particularly considered. Similarly to the development approach adopted for digital technologies and systems, the network will explore materials and composite innovations at TRL levels 3 or 4.
Besides the three areas above, research impact will be maximised through the generation of awareness and specific manufacturing symbiosis knowledge and skills at the base. For example, academic partners in the network will feed research into their educational programmes in order to reinforce impact on academia and include students in the critical mass the network will create.
There is also strong potential for the network to expand internationally. This is reflected in the commitment of the initial network members to ensure the project results are adopted at least on a European scale.
To achieve this, the knowledge creation and knowledge transference initiatives developed over the 3-year period of this project will lay important foundations for future research and practice in the area, establishing a clear point of convergence for the development of more focused and cohesive activities that can effectively bring significant improvements in manufacturing symbiosis capabilities. The network will also promote the start of new relevant projects and support them to the stage of successfully progressing to follow-up studies and obtaining follow-on funding.
The network will proactively develop strong relationships with key stakeholders in order to enable adoption of the knowledge generated from the network by academia, industry and policy makers. For instance, from the outset the UKMSN+ Advisory Board (described in the Management Plan document) will comprise influential partners who represent industry, academia, government and scientific sectors. The Board will be instrumental in facilitating close interactions between network members and other stakeholders. This process will allow the network to align its activities and outputs with core activities and interests of stakeholders, which will significantly improve achievement of the expected impacts mentioned below.
Impact on business model innovations: Particular research impacts the network will enable in this area are: 1. Design and implementation of circular supply chains supporting closed-loop of materials across diverse manufacturing sectors; 2. Implementation of distributed manufacturing approaches to enable wider manufacturing symbiosis ecosystems; 3. Adoption of industrial symbiosis strategies as core circular economy initiatives in the manufacturing industry.
Impact on digital technologies and systems: The network will explore radical developments on digital technologies and systems based on cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, smart apps and integrative software architecture supporting the development digital information hubs in the cloud. Advancements in these areas will be specifically oriented to improve manufacturing symbiosis capabilities and enable the implementation of the restorative manufacturing business ecosystems above mentioned. The network will explore innovations up to TRL levels 3 or 4 (proof of concept demonstrated experimentally or development of components validated in laboratory). We expect to impact academics and Catapult technology centres to build upon and bring these initial developments up to higher TRL levels.
Impact on materials science and engineering: The network will explore the development of novel materials with properties more suitable to sustain industrial symbiosis processes. The durability and reusability capacity of materials to enable longer use, reuse and transformation cycles will be particularly considered. Similarly to the development approach adopted for digital technologies and systems, the network will explore materials and composite innovations at TRL levels 3 or 4.
Besides the three areas above, research impact will be maximised through the generation of awareness and specific manufacturing symbiosis knowledge and skills at the base. For example, academic partners in the network will feed research into their educational programmes in order to reinforce impact on academia and include students in the critical mass the network will create.
There is also strong potential for the network to expand internationally. This is reflected in the commitment of the initial network members to ensure the project results are adopted at least on a European scale.
Organisations
- Aston University (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- International Synergies Ltd (Project Partner)
- WMG Catapult (Project Partner)
- CONFIRM - Centre for Smart Manufacturing (Project Partner)
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult (Project Partner)
- Birmingham City Council (Project Partner)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (Project Partner)
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Batista L
(2023)
Theorising circular economy and sustainable operations and supply chain management: a sustainability-dominant logic
in International Journal of Operations & Production Management
Batista L
(2019)
Operations Management and Sustainability - New Research Perspectives
Batista L
(2021)
Improving the sustainability of food supply chains through circular economy practices - a qualitative mapping approach
in Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal
Batista L
(2019)
Knowledge management for food supply chain synergies - a maturity level analysis of SME companies
in Production Planning & Control
Cerqueira-Streit J
(2021)
Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Route for a Circular Economy: An Integrative Literature Review
in Logistics
Dossa A
(2020)
Diffusion of circular economy practices in the UK wheat food supply chain
in International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications
Garza-Reyes J
(2019)
From linear to circular manufacturing business models
in Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
Kayikci Y
(2022)
Assessing smart circular supply chain readiness and maturity level of small and medium-sized enterprises
in Journal of Business Research
King M
(2023)
A proposed universal definition of a Digital Product Passport Ecosystem (DPPE): Worldviews, discrete capabilities, stakeholder requirements and concerns
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Nunes B
(2022)
Sustainable Operations Management - Key Practices and Cases
Ponsignon F
(2021)
An in-depth case study of a modular service delivery system in a logistics context
in The International Journal of Logistics Management
Sehnem S
(2022)
Editorial: Circular Business Models and Strategies-The Key to Sustainable Business and Innovative Supply Chains
in Frontiers in Sustainability
Tsolakis N
(2022)
Artificial intelligence and blockchain implementation in supply chains: a pathway to sustainability and data monetisation?
in Annals of operations research
Tsolakis N
(2023)
Microalgae-based circular supply chain configurations using Industry 4.0 technologies for pharmaceuticals
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Welsh T
(2021)
Towards Adaptive Inspection for Fraud in I4.0 Supply Chains
Welsh T
(2023)
Topology-Aware Adaptive Inspection for Fraud in I4.0 Supply Chains
in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics
Wilberforce T
(2023)
Remaining useful life prediction for proton exchange membrane fuel cells using combined convolutional neural network and recurrent neural network
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Zhu Z
(2022)
Packaging design for the circular economy: A systematic review
in Sustainable Production and Consumption
Zhu, Z.
(2022)
Packaging design for the circular economy: A systematic review
in Sustainable Production and Consumption
Description | Project 1 (Horizon Scanning): Apparel Advance: Towards a sustainable apparel manufacturing ecosystem, Dr Steven Hayes, University of Manchester This project delivered an online platform connecting alteration shops, dressmakers and tailors for resource mapping and collaboration as an initiative for textile resource mapping and collaboration between high street apparel businesses. Project 2 (Horizon Scanning): ROADS UK: Reimagining the Opportunities of Asphalt Development for Sustainability in the United Kingdom, Dr Rosanna Cole, University of Surrey This project identified challenges of industrial symbiosis i.e. collaboration adoption in the construction industry (asphalt / bitumen production) and the impact of this production on the environment and society, making recommendations as best practices - with input from industry partner FM Conway. Project 3 (Horizon Scanning): Conversion of mushroom waste into value-added products, Dr Begum Tokay, University of Nottingham This project conducted an initial, lab-based testing of mushroom waste as biosorbent - absorbing dye and paracetamol, exploring its potential use as value added products e.g. biopolymer, biosorbent. Project 4 (Horizon Scanning): Enabling the Circular Economy in Aerospace Manufacturing through Industrial Digital Technologies, Dr Crispin Coombs, Loughborough University This project investigated how circular economy practices could be implemented in the aerospace manufacturing sector via Industrial Digital Technologies (IDT), with input from industry partner Rolls-Royce plc. It mapped out a conceptual model for CE adoption in the aerospace industry, to serve as guidance for manufacturers in the field. Project 5 (Horizon Scanning): Design for Circular Economy: Exploring the Circular Product Design for Packaging Industry, Dr Wei Liu, Aston University This project investigated current practices and areas for improvement of packaging design for a circular economy, with input from several industry representatives e.g. packaging designers via workshop, delivering a (guidance) framework for circular packaging design. |
Exploitation Route | Project 1: It requires continuation funding for further research and refining. Project 2: The findings can be used as input in a larger project, addressing key research challenges facing manufacturing and materials for improved sustainability in the construction sector. Project 3: Further work required to convert mushroom waste to sustainable / degradable packaging. Project 4: Further research required to validate the guidance model Project 5: Once complete, beneficiaries would include packaging designers, producers, raw and secondary raw materials suppliers and users, recyclers, etc. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Construction Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
Description | Besides improving awareness of industrial symbiosis practices across diverse manufacturing sectors, this project has influenced policymaking concerning Net Zero strategies in the UK. This has been achieved through the engagement of the project's PI (Luciano Batista) with relevant government bodies and events. For example, Luciano Batista has become a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group (APMG), having participated in several meetings of the APMG where he advised on industrial transitions to the circular economy and the enabling innovations explored by the project. Specifically, the UKMSN-funded studies provided evidence of the critical importance of digital technologies and sustainable industrial innovations to accelerate circular economy transitions. Particular contributions were: 1. Digital Product Passports have been proposed and advocated as a policy concept by the UK Government in its waste and resource strategy. One of the UKMSN studies proposed universal definition of a Digital Product Passport Ecosystem (DPPE) for international policy, industrial and technical communities. The novelty of this research lies in the systems thinking approach, coupled with systems engineering, to define and model a DPPE as a System of Systems to derive a definition. Stakeholder perspectives and requirements concerning Product Passports were synthesised using data and analysis from the European Commission's (EC) open consultation on the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI). Nine high-level capabilities of a DPPE have been identified, and each is explored by mapping a list of information requirements discussed within the consultation. The study has shown that different Product Passport applications benefit (or detriment) different stakeholder groups. 2. Another UKMSN study confirmed that there were no known examples of agile biorefineries in the world, and the study sought to become a first step towards a detailed conceptualisation of agile biorefining. To this end, the study characterised Agile Biorefinery as a flexible plant, where a reconfiguration of the refining process is achieved by switching equipment inside a single standalone plant, therefore, it achieves higher agility by adapting configurations, varying feedstocks, and even changing operating conditions throughout time. The agile biorefinery involves a relatively low capital investment modular (adaptable) facility, deployed locally (uses local, short-distance available resources), capable of utilising different feedstocks (flexible), including wastes, in a small-scale but high yield production, which works in tandem and focusing in generating value across all stakeholders. 3. Another study focussed on developing and demonstrating a digital design and robotic additive manufacturing process for recycled polymer structural components. Through quantification of orthotropic material properties (tensile strength, tensile elastic modulus, compressive strength, compressive modulus, Poisson's ratio) of PLA, ABS, PETG, CF-PETG, recycled PETG thermoplastic polymers the study developed a finite element model to incorporate physical results such as materially efficient truss and connection components through topological optimisation. The 3D printing innovations presented high potential for utilisation novel 3D-printed materials in the construction sector. 4. Another UKMSN study involved a consortium of Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) stakeholders covering the business, engineering, and circular economy dimensions. The study developed restorative business models that utilise new data-driven approaches to monitor the health and usage of fuel cells. The study showed that the combination of the principles of predictive maintenance and those of the circular economy relies on early detection of signs of deterioration in fuel cells for the evaluation of their remaining useful life. The study also developed restorative models that have the potential to save costs and generate revenue from fuel cell waste streams. For example, the study narrowed down the most feasible future lives of HFCs. These lives are most likely to be in static uses to replace diesel generators. The ideal position to prolong the life of HFCs is in static positions in non-polluting environments. Two main markets were identified for HFC generators i) local authorities and ii) the medical sector. In local authorities, street market stalls were identified as the main potential use for these generators, but other possible uses include to power remote applications, including security cameras, temporary traffic lights and environmental monitoring. In the medical sector, replacing diesel generators in mobile or semi-mobile buildings, such as medical cabins. The use of HFC generators offers a quiet and clean alternative to diesel generators. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Construction,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport,Other |
Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
Description | ATLAS - Automated high-throughput platform suite for accelerated molecular systems discovery (Imperial College London, Dr Theoni Georgiou, UKMSN Co-I) |
Amount | £1,281,110 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V029142/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Cold chain mapping towards nature-assisted cooling in East Africa: Networking and capacity building |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GCRFNGR8\1161 |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | ESRC Made Smarter Network+ ("InterAct") |
Amount | £62,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | J17293 / ES/W007231/1 |
Organisation | Loughborough University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2022 |
End | 05/2023 |
Description | Energy Catalyst Round 9 - Early Stage |
Amount | £279,851 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Made Smarter Network+ |
Amount | £4,885,886 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ES/W007231/1 |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | SFN (STFC Food Network+) Scoping Project - Call 2021 |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Sheffield |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | The Biochar Clean Tech Accelerator - Empowering Regional Clusters |
Amount | £1,822,376 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 10055261 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 03/2025 |
Title | Supplementary information files for A proposed universal definition of a Digital Product Passport Ecosystem (DPPE): Worldviews, discrete capabilities, stakeholder requirements and concerns |
Description | Supplementary files for article A proposed universal definition of a Digital Product Passport Ecosystem (DPPE): Worldviews, discrete capabilities, stakeholder requirements and concerns This paper contributes new knowledge and understanding about the role that Product Passports might play in advancing sustainable business practices towards a Circular Economy. The significance of this research is the proposed universal definition of a Digital Product Passport Ecosystem (DPPE) for international policy, industrial and technical communities. The novelty of this research lies in the systems thinking approach, coupled with systems engineering, to define and model a DPPE as a System of Systems to derive a definition. Stakeholder perspectives and requirements concerning Product Passports were synthesised using data and analysis from the European Commission's (EC) open consultation on the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI). Nine high-level capabilities of a DPPE have been identified, and each is explored by mapping a list of information requirements discussed within the consultation. It is shown that different Product Passport applications benefit (or detriment) different stakeholder groups. Findings suggest that DPPE solutions must be systemic, providing interoperability across multiple product life cycles, organisations, supply chains, and value chains in order to operate across international borders: thus realising benefits for world (circular) economies and the planet. Furthermore, it is proposed that if stakeholders utilise a universal definition of a DPPE in conjunction with a set of agreed ethical principles to underpin legislation, there would be fewer contradictions and ambiguity between stakeholders regarding the purpose of a Product Passport and the reasons for sharing data. Finally, the authors conclude that more research is needed on incentives for producers to share data and integrate their existing production systems with the broader ecosystem architectures to allow for maximum interoperability with minimal duplication. In addition, future research should determine specific DPP information requirements on a product-by-product basis, along with opportunities that a DPPE will enable towards industrial symbiosis. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Supplementary_information_files_for_A_proposed_unive... |
Description | Webinar Participation |
Organisation | Loughborough University |
Department | School of Business and Economics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr Crispin Coombs, Principal Investigator on one of the UKMSN+ funded Horizon Scanning Studies, was invited as a key speaker at the Aerospace Up Webinar, organised by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the University of Nottingham, 17 December 2020. Webinar entitled: "Enabling the Circular Economy for Aerospace with Digital Technologies: How Could it Benefit Your Business?" |
Collaborator Contribution | - Research dissemination to an aerospace audience, introducing the concept of Circular Economy to aero-specialists - Advertising the UKMSN+ project |
Impact | - |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Workshop on 'Digitalisation for Sustainable Manufacturing', organised and delivered in collaboration with the EPSRC DSM+ (Digitalised Surfaced Manufacturing Networkplus) |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I delivered one of the presentations in this workshop, which centered on the UKMSN theme. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner also delivered a presentation based on their DSM project |
Impact | Both projects (UKMSN and DSM) and related outcomes were disseminated to an audience of academics and practitioners. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | "Industry beyond Sustainability: Manufacturing Symbiosis" for Curtin University Malaysia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited as a guest lecture at Curtin University Malaysia, on the 4th of March 2022, we delivered an online presentation about our UKMSN+ and introduced engineering students to the concepts of circular economy and industrial symbiosis. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Attendance of the NICER Circular Economy Showcase 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Engagement with businesses and academics attending the same event. The event allowed the development of awareness of the UKMSN project and related outcomes. Potential collaborations were discussed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://ce-hub.org/circular-economy-showcase-2022/#:~:text=The%202022%20NICER%20Programme%20Circular... |
Description | COP26 Regional Roadshow West Midlands |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation o the UKMSN project and related outcomes in the COP26 Regional Roadshow West Midlands, organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The project listed in the West Midlands Low Carbon Investment Prospectus. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Digital catapult |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Future direction of digital supply chain hub |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Engagement Government agency Advanced Manufacturing research centre (AMRC) May 18 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Engagement Government agency Advanced Manufacturing research centre (AMRC) May 18 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | H2020 TRUST Joint Summer School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Knowledge transference event at the H2020 TRUST Joint Summer School with Chalmers University of Technology and ISQ on 13th June, 2022 in Porto, Portugal. Presentation title "Agile biorefineries: identifying main characteristics and key factors". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | HVM (High Value Manufacturing) Catapult event UKMF: Net Zero Design and Make Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | HVM Catapult, in partnership with IfM, BEIS and a range of other stakeholders, runned this workshop to build on existing evidence and activity with the aim of informing evidence based policy and funding to support circular economy opportunities. The workshop focused on three key topics facing the manufacturing industry to achieve Net-Zero: • Topic 1: Design for CE and net zero carbon- redesign of business models and sustainable practice, life cycle analysis • Topic 2: Resource efficient production- sustainable production, new materials, production and infrastructure • Topic 3: Resource management Luciano Batista was a keynote speaker in this event, giving a talk on Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis in the Manufacturing Sector. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | IMechE webinar: Engineering Beyond Sustainability - Circular Economy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), UKMSN+ delivered an introductory presentation to circular economy targeted at engineers (students and professionals in the field) on the 14th of April 2021. The information provided is likely to have encouraged the engineers to seek additional information on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://nearyou.imeche.org/eventdetail?id=18788 |
Description | INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS: USING RESOURCE EFFICIENCY TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO GOALS - Briefing for Parliamentarians |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | On 26th April 2022, we a roundtable chaired by Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and the Green New Deal, on industrial symbiosis. This event was included in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Manufacturing (APMG) events programme. The roundtable gathered academics, business and government representatives concerned with the development of IS initiatives in the manufacturing sector as well as representatives from energy, construction and waste management sectors. The session chair Dr Alan Whitehead MP outlined the key importance of IS to transform waste into a useful resource. He acknowledged that policy had a part to play and noted that 20 years since he chaired the launch of NISP, there is still much to be done in this area. To create systemic changes towards the CE, the UK needs an integrated circular strategy supported by efficient industrial symbiosis systems. In this context, cross-sectoral approaches to the CE are critically important. There is strong evidence base that shows public sector investment is required, to scale industrial symbiosis and harness country-wide decarbonisation potential in the UK economy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ukmsn.info/post/roundtable-event-manufacturing-symbiosis-parliament |
Description | Industry Seminar-day meeting Lapwing Estates September 27 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry Seminar-day meeting Lapwing Estates September 27 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Industry engagement Data swift January 17 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement Data swift January 17 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Industry engagement Lapwing Estates November 12 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement Lapwing Estates November 12 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Industry engagement Lego June 14 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement Lego June 14 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Industry engagement Rayner foods January 28 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement Rayner foods January 28 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Industry seminar In Birmingham October 4 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry seminar In Birmingham October 4 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Industry seminar and workshop Lapwing Estates November 15 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry seminar and workshop Lapwing Estates November 15 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | International Workshop on Servitization- Sept 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr. Zena Wood and Dr, Phil Godsiff presented their Servitisation and Digitisation poster at the virtual International Servitisation Conference 2020 (September). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Jack Semple, CEO of engineering and machinery alliance industry engagement April 9 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement with Jack Semple, CEO of engineering and machinery alliance on April 9th. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | James and James fulfilment Industry engagement March 9 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Industry engagement with James and James fulfilment on the 9th of March. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Meeting with Aggregate Industries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting with Aggregate Industries (Building Materials) 12th of March |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Meeting with BSI and Brunel challenge |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Potential future research grant with these two organisations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting with Chief Tech Officer at GKN |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting with Paul Perera (Chief Technology Officer) at GKN -Areospace - 27th November |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Meeting with Gartner |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting with Gartner -research and advisory company- December 8th |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Meeting with The Engineering and Machinery Alliance |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting with EAMA on December 4th |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Meeting with high Value Manufacturing catapult |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Potential future research grant in digital twins |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting- manufacturing made smarter north-west pilot |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting with Donna Edwards of manufacturing made smarter north-west pilot 26th of October |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Partnership development Digital economy labs at the University of Stanford December 8 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Partnership development Digital economy labs at the University of Stanford December 8 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Partnership development Rayner foods February 2 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Partnership development Rayner foods February 2 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation to Imperial College London MBA |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation to Imperial College London MBA - April 2nd |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presentation to Nestle |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation to Nestle |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Seminar Servitization live August 11 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Seminar Servitization live August 11 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | UKMSN Project info, funding call Q&A webinar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This webinar was targeted at researchers and professional practitioners with an interest in UKMSN+ project and its funding activities; in addition to information about the project, this online event was focused on UKMSN+ second funding call i.e. Bridging Studies, to encourage applications and address any questions the audience and prospective applicants might have. For accessibility, the webinar Q&A session was recorded; 61 attendees joined the event on the day (18th of March 2021). https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ukmsn-outputs-information-on-the-second-call-for-research-projects-tickets-143292960101# |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ukmsn.ac.uk/post/call-for-sectoral-bridging-studies |
Description | UKRI Digital Manufacturing workshop engagement with government agency April 29 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | UKRI Digital Manufacturing workshop engagement with government agency April 29th |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Visit to Digital catapult |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Lead directly to the establishment of the digital supply chain hub call for proposals |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Webinar on "Digitalisation for sustainable manufacturing" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The event was organised in partnership with Digitalised Surface Manufacturing Network Plus project (EPSRC funded) and focused on sustainable manufacturing. In addition to presentations about the two project, the audience benefited from academic and industry experts which gave real life examples of sustainable practices for manufacturing. The webinar took place on the 21st of July 2021 and had over 80 attendees on the day. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digitalisation-for-sustainable-manufacturing-tickets-162427273347?aff... |
Description | Webinar: CE for Aerospace |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Crispin Coombs, Principal Investigator on one of the UKMSN+ funded Horizon Scanning Studies, was invited as a key speaker at the Aerospace Up Webinar, organised by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the University of Nottingham on the 17th of December 2020. The webinar was entitled: "Enabling the Circular Economy for Aerospace with Digital Technologies: How Could it Benefit Your Business?" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Webinar: Info on UKMSN+ |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Given the Covid-19 pandemic, we held a webinar on the 17th of November 2020, targeted at professionals and businesses with an interest in sustainability and circular economy. The webinar, entitled "UK Manufacturing Symbiosis Research and Opportunities" introduced the UKMSN+ project and covered research trends in the field, with input from industry and the funder. The event raised the project profile, slightly increasing our network members and social media followers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-manufacturing-symbiosis-research-and-opportunities-tickets-1260415... |
Description | Workshop presentation - Dutch Embassy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation of the UKMSN project in the 'North Sea Neighbours Trade and Innovation', organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The event provided a platform for key public and private stakeholders from the UK and the Netherlands to explore trade and innovation cooperation in the areas of sustainable shipping and port development, hydrogen, circular economy and sustainable mobility. In his talk, Luciano Batista draw attention to the importance of industrial symbiosis strategies to enable concerted regional transitions towards the circular economy. The discussion that followed considered opportunities to scale up industrial collaborations between North Sea Neighbours involving policy making, technological developments and circular manufacturing solutions. Key government and industry representatives in the event included Peter Portman (Deputy Director-General of Foreign Economic Relations at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dimitri Vogelaar (Head of the Economic Department, Dutch Embassy London), Chris Barton CMG (Director General of Trade Negotiations, UK Department of International Trade) and Fergus McReynolds (Director of EU & International Affairs, Make UK). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |