Cardiff University hosts groundbreaking industry partnership to champion circular economy in Wales

We recently hosted a landmark event aimed at advancing the circular economy in Wales through collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

The University-Industry Partnership for a Circular Wales event, organised by the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) and held at the Translational Research Hub (TRH), provided a unique platform for businesses to explore cutting-edge solutions to achieve sustainability goals.

The free-to-attend event offered businesses of all sizes the opportunity to engage with Cardiff’s world-leading scientists to explore potential innovations in reducing their environmental impact, exploring catalysed waste valorisation, and maximising resource efficiencies. Funding opportunities were shared with delegates to support collaborative research, with key figures from Innovate UK and the Welsh Government offering valuable perspectives.

Dr. M. Sankar emphasized the significance of the University-Industry Partnership for a Circular Wales event, stating, “Our event provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing a platform for collaboration that will advance the circular economy in Wales. We are excited to see the innovative solutions that will emerge from this partnership, helping businesses achieve sustainability."

The event featured a series of presentations, including an exploration of the Welsh Government's Wales Innovates program, whose mission is to create a stronger, greener, and fairer Wales. Industry leaders, such as Mr. Mark Lewis and Ms. Julie Cunnington-Hill from the Innovation Team of the Welsh Government, discussed how these initiatives are shaping the country’s sustainable future.

The agenda also included presentations on specific industry collaborations, such as the Catalytic Valorisation of Coffee Waste, a partnership between the Cardiff Catalysis Institute and Grounds for Good, which highlighted innovative ways to tackle waste sustainably.

As part of Cardiff University’s commitment to creating a resilient circular economy, Professor Stuart Taylor, Director of the CCI, shared, "We welcome the opportunity to showcase the cutting-edge research facilities and expertise of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute at the new Translational Research Hub, offering businesses the tools required to deliver innovative solutions for waste valorisation and resource efficiency."

The event provided a rich networking experience for all attendees, from small startups to large corporations. Delegates and participants had unique access to world-class research facilities and expertise, helping Wales continue to lead the way in circular economy advancements.

We look forward to hosting many more productive events, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to support our transition to a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous future.