Deadline: September 17, 2025
PPG seeks innovators to provide sustainable and circular solutions for valorising paint waste from vessel and equipment cleaning.
The focus areas of this challenge are the valorisation of the filter cake, the cake properties and the properties and processes required to meet the needs of end user industries and applications, opportunities to extract and valorise other valuable components from the cake, which could serve as a resource for various industrial applications, and sustainability metrics.
The initiative is led by PPG, a global manufacturer and supplier of paints, coatings, and speciality products operating in over 70 countries, with renowned brands including Johnstone’s, Sigma, and Tikkurila. Across its UK and EU manufacturing sites, PPG generates significant waste during the cleaning of production vessels and filling equipment. This waste is separated through flocculation and dewatering, resulting in solid residue cakes that are currently disposed of using conventional waste management solutions. PPG is determined to find innovative approaches to repurpose these residues, aligning with its enterprise goal of diverting 100% of material waste away from disposal facilities by 2030.
The challenge specifically calls for solutions that can transform filter cake into valuable materials for various industries. These solutions should be sustainable, circular, and capable of being deployed in field trials within two years of the competition, with the ultimate aim of commercial deployment by 2028. Although ideas at a more advanced Technology Readiness Level (TRL 6 and above) are preferred, earlier-stage concepts with strong potential for rapid scale-up are also welcomed.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to UK-registered businesses, and participants can apply to only one challenge category within the Foundation Industries and supply chains. The winning applicant will gain access to £25,000 grant funding to accelerate the development of their solution during a 3-month project. Furthermore, selected innovators will receive detailed proprietary data and filter cake samples for analysis, under NDA, with opportunities for site visits to PPG’s EU facilities.
In addition to funding, the benefits package for the winners includes support from Innovate UK Business Connect, guidance for prototype or pilot development, technical expertise, exposure at Innovate UK Business Connect events, opportunities for business collaborations, investor introductions, and support in applying for further innovation competitions. If successful, the solution could be scaled beyond the EU pilot site, extending to PPG’s facilities in the UK and globally. This presents significant market potential for long-term collaboration and circular economy integration within the coatings industry.
For more information, visit Innovate UK.
