Transforming Foundation Industries Network+ awards funding to six research projects exploring energy efficient manufacturing

Following a competitive funding call, the UKRI-ISCF Transforming Foundation Industries Network+ has awarded over £270k in funding to six collaborative projects supporting energy efficient manufacturing across the foundation industry sectors.

Transforming Foundation Industries Network+, supported by funding from UKRI as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, recently completed its first funding call for projects focusing on energy efficiency manufacturing within the foundation industries. In total, £272k of funding has been awarded to six projects with strong industry partnerships and innovative research. 

Funding has been awarded to the following projects:

• Improved Energy Efficiency of Float Glass Production – Dr Peter Green (University of Liverpool) in collaboration with NSG Group

• Investigation of a Flat Heat Pipe for High Temperature Waste Heat Recovery from Metal Slabs – Prof Hussam Jouhara (Brunel University London) in collaboration with Econotherm

• Using Blast Furnace Waste Heat to Convert Various Wastes into New Raw Materials for Low Energy Glass – Dr Zushu Li (University of Warwick) in collaboration with British Glass, Glass Futures, Calumite Ltd and Materials Processing Institute

• Feasibility Study on Valorisation of Paper Mill Sludge to Manufacture Eco-Bricks – Dr Saurav Goel (London South Bank University) in collaboration with StanRocc and Nagaon Paper Mill

• Low Temperature Fired Silica-Based Shaped Refractories via Cold Sintering – Dr Linhao Li (University of Sheffield) in collaboration with Vesuvius UK Ltd

• THERMCAST – Valorisation of Foundry Sands as Medium-High Temperature Waste Heat Recovery Materials – Dr Argyrios Anagnostopoulos (University of Birmingham) in collaboration with Kelvin Thermotech Ltd and Confederation of British Metalforming

“The TFI Network+ has remit to help the foundation industries get ready for net-zero 2050. These projects are in key research areas that could radically alter the carbon footprint of several foundation industry sectors. We look forward to reporting their outcomes and to funding more high quality projects in the future”

Prof Ian Reaney, Director of the Transforming Foundation Industries Network+

The Foundation Industries (consisting of glass, metals, ceramics, cement, paper and bulk chemicals sectors) are energy intensive, accounting for 10% of the UK’s CO2 emissions. In order to meet UK targets of Net Zero by 2050, the Foundation Industries must innovate and adapt to increase sustainability and implement new technology for greener manufacturing. As well as exploring energy efficient practises, each of the projects will support knowledge transfer for a cross-sector approach to improve sustainability.

“UK commitments on route to net zero mean that decarbonisation of the Foundation Industries must progress at pace, and novel technologies will be required to achieve this. As such it is greatly encouraging to see TFI Network+ able to assess, fund, and launch projects with this potential in such a short time frame.”

Bruce Adderley, Challenge Director for Transforming Foundation Industries, UKRI

All projects will begin in September, with project descriptions available on the TFI Network+ website. In July, the Network will launch its second funding call, inviting proposals under the themes of resource efficiency and industrial symbiosis. Further details will be available at www.tfinetworkplus.org

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UKRI-ISCF TFI Network+, launched in January 2021 with the aim of assisting the foundation industries (namely glass, paper, ceramics, cement, metals and bulk chemicals) to remain competitive whilst simultaneously facing challenges from environmental legislation and the drive towards net-zero carbon 2050. The core aim of TFI Network+ is to co-create with the Foundation Industries new science and technology that can transform their sustainability and performance by coordinating and channeling a wide range of expertise throughout UK academia in themes such as circular economy, energy efficiency and next generation processes. Those interested are invited to become members of the Network by completing the online membership form on TFI Network+. Members are kept up to date with activities including events and news from across the sector, as well as take part in funding calls by submitting proposals for consideration . Become a member at https://tfinetworkplus.org/join-tfi-network/