CEAMS will facilitate a series of roundtables to create a strong community of advanced manufacturers based in Rochdale and the surrounding areas. This will enable sharing of best practice, collaboration and increased innovation.

The first roundtable was held on 29th February in the Innovation Centre at Vita Group, and focused on the adoption and development of circularity in materials.

Vita shared a fascinating update on their sustainable innovations, dating back to the 1980s. Some of their key achievements include: 100% of excess foam is repurposed; 100% zero waste to landfill in our Middleton and Accrington facilities (22% of their production); and 66% of products are sold with zero packaging. Vita is actively working on increasing the number of renewable polyols that it manufactures with, such as Dow’s Renuva™ and biopolyols.

One key challenge for Vita in the UK is the recycling of mattresses. This is possible in other countries (e.g. France) but more difficult here due to the flame-retardant chemicals required under UK law. They believe however that a full solution could be implemented within Greater Manchester, using the expertise and organisations already based in the region.

Attendees discussed their shared ambitions to improve sustainability and circularity within their businesses with a number of advancements already in place. This includes increased demand from certain clients (often public sector or plcs who are subject to stricter reporting requirements), commercial benefits (from increased efficiencies and reduction of waste) and future proofing organisations.

One particular good news story is that of QR Corporations. Their straw-based packaging is being used for multiple food products and will be rolled out at scale across leading supermarkets. Fully biodegradable, it will significantly reduce the volume of plastic currently being used.

There are however a range of barriers preventing further development:

• Cost conscious clients are focused on driving down price, preventing any investment being made in developing new materials or more sustainable processes. Noted that this is happening in both private and public sector contracts.

• Risk of investment. Smaller companies in the supply chain need financial support to be able to trial new ideas and innovations. This could be through grant funding (such as that available through CEAMS) or private sector support from larger end users.

• Lack of joined up thinking and connections between organisations and sectors. There are lots of pockets of expertise that could lead to significant breakthroughs if brought together.

Availability of materials within the UK. For example, recycled aluminium tends to be imported from Spain.

Skills pipeline. There needs to be a comprehensive programme to cover STEM in schools, through apprenticeships and / or higher education, through to retraining and upskilling the current workforce.

The roundtable concluded with attendees sharing their key asks. Alongside further regulation and mandatory transparency in supply chains, all organisations present highlighted the importance of creating a community of advanced manufacturers. Indeed, many had already swapped contact details and were planning follow up meetings.

It is clear from this discussion that there is no shortage of ambition nor expertise in the region. Investments into the sector, backed by spaces for collaboration and partner support, will make a huge impact.