Creating collaborative sustainable solutions for plastics

Trusted, impactful innovations with polymers and multimaterials

We can help in a number of ways, from offering advice, to working on longer term collaboration projects.

The SMI Hub explores challenges in plastics and material circularity by advising on industrial and policy problems, opportunities and unintended consequences; backing that up with experimental assessment, including materials characterisation and life cycle assessment; developing and co-developing new innovations with partners, both from industry and academia.

Advice

Impartial sustainability advice for those looking to make a change in their use of plastics

Assess

Experimental assessments, including materials characterisation and life cycle assessment

Innovate

Developing and co-developing new innovations with partners, both from industry and academia

Our Facilities

Our experience

Our materials experts have worked with companies of all sizes to create solutions to suit a variety of business needs.

Sustainability advice and circular business model support for clothing manufacturers

David Luke

David Luke is a designer and manufacturer of school uniforms, sportswear and outdoor garments. The company started their sustainability journey in 2009, with a…

Identifying sustainable adhesive materials for recycled footwear

Oceanbound

OceanBound is a start-up, based in Greater Manchester that develop premium brand flip flops and sliders from recycled materials using a circular business model…

David Luke

David Luke is a designer and manufacturer of school uniforms, sportswear and outdoor garments. The company started their sustainability journey in 2009, with a…

Oceanbound

OceanBound is a start-up, based in Greater Manchester that develop premium brand flip flops and sliders from recycled materials using a circular business model…

How we're helping

Latest news

Check out the latest news and resources from the SMI Hub including previous webinars and an overview of our specialist research areas.

Awards 3 May 2024

Academy announces Professor Michael Shaver as Research Chair

Research Overview 23 July 2021

Dr Thomas Bennett

Hear from Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub Research Fellow, Dr Thomas Bennett as he gives an overview of the Assessment & Innovate Services available to businesses in Greater Manchester.

Innovation 17 November 2023

Accelerating innovation in Greater Manchester housing

View all news & resources

We've worked with companies from all over the world

We collaborate with industry to co-create trusted sustainable solutions for plastics use

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