Supported by

Improving Your Resource Efficiency: Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

David Thomas MIEMAKatie O’Connor AIEMAC-Tech Innovation Ltd.

Eco-Innovation

What ?→New products and services which are less

environmentally harmful than the use of relevant

alternatives, or have a positive effect on the environment.

Why ?→Businesses are not taking advantage of the massive

opportunities created by climate change

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

Who ?

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

How ?

Up to 4 days funded support: -•Idea generation•Idea evaluation•Market intelligence•Eco-design•Embed ‘eco-thinking’ within the organisation

Lancaster University•Product design by LPDU•Graduate consultants – Short projects and MSc projects

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

The main themes are: -

→Help companies exploit the market opportunities

created by climate change

→Reduced or minimised environmental impact

→The creation of a legacy of a sustainable group of eco-

innovative companies

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

Benefits: -

Business

Economic

Environmental

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme

4 key messages: -

→Not about business greening

→Operating across all sectors

→A total focus on innovation

→A lasting legacy

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme – Case Study

Anticipated Benefits

6 new lines installed

CO2 saving 450 tonnes per year

1 job created

Cost to Business

NONE – Fully Funded

Northwest Eco-Innovation Programme – Case Study

Real Business BenefitsSupport provided

→Business mentoring – approach to environmental credentials and life cycle thinking.

→Identifying and sourcing alternative materials.

Key Achievements

Estimated Saving - 124,000 linear meters of marine ply batons

Estimated Saving - 38,000 litres of adhesive

Reduction in Installation time and overall weight

Real Business BenefitsSupport provided

→One to one workshop and idea evaluation.

→Market intelligence, and one to one mentoring.

Key Achievements (so far)

Designs using less Nomex® investigated

Ideas for a supplier audit questionnaire developed

Returnable packaging introduced – using pre-paid postage

Real Business Benefits

Real Business Benefits

Support provided

→Ideas generation session - one to one support to identify over 20 potential new markets.

→Prioritisation of opportunities.

Anticipated Benefits

Estimated creation of 2 new jobs.

Estimated £2 million turnover pa within 2 years of trading.

Real Business Benefits

Anticipated Benefits

Fostered connections with manufacturers and intellectual property lawyers

Developed and supported a promotional pitchUtilised ‘SolidWorks’ sustainability toolHelp to develop a product with both financial and environmental savings

Cost to Business

- NONE – Fully Funded