Products will be provided to selected winners of this competition by DHSC on a cost neutral basis to the applicant. The surplus will have an inherent value for the winning companies as a feedstock/product lines/resource. Companies will benefit from materials gained from re-use, repurposing or modification of the stock into new products. DHSC may want to explore potential share gain agreements if innovators identify a solution which will generate significant income.  

At the beginning of the pandemic the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) worked to ensure there was a sufficient stock of PPE for the COVID-19 pandemic. DHSC set up an additional supply chain to procure, manage and distribute life-saving PPE for free to frontline staff and patients to protect themselves against COVID-19. Between 25 February 2020 and 30 June 2022, DHSC distributed 21.5 billion items of PPE, predominantly for use by health and social care services in England. In practice, demand has turned out to be lower than forecast. This was difficult to predict at the beginning of the pandemic and therefore DHSC planned to a Reasonable Worst-Case Scenario.&nbsp;&nbsp; In order to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of storing surplus stock, DHSC has employed a range of measures to reduce it including selling, re-using and donating (UK and internationally), recycling, using energy from waste processes to dispose of stock, and by pursuing return or recovery of costs through the original supplier.&nbsp; DHSC has followed the Government's Waste Hierarchy and is committed to a zero landfill and zero incineration without energy recovery target for all PPE stock. DHSC are looking at further and more innovative ways to accelerate the reduction of stock levels which cannot be sold, donated or easily recycled.&nbsp; This approach aims to:
<ul>
<li>reduce the costs to the taxpayer in storing excess stock</li>
<li>reduce expired excess stock through the waste management hierarchy</li>
<li>generate further value, including social value, for the economy,</li>
<li>find alternative products and processes that can work to reuse as much of the material as possible (including associated packaging of PPE stock).</li>
</ul>
DHSC with support from Innovate UK KTN-IX are looking for innovative solutions to achieve these aims by delivering three challenges around excess or expiring stock. This challenge is concerned with the repurposing, modification or upcycling of goggles and visors.&nbsp; <span style="color: #111827; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #ffffff;">Join the Innovation Exchange launch webinar on&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #111827; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">September 21st&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #111827; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">to find out more.&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #111827; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Register&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #111827; font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><a href="https://ktn-uk.org/events/ix-challenges-re-processing-re-using-or-modifying-large-quantities-of-ppe-and-hand-sanitiser/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;

Background 

Some categories of Personal protective equipment (PPE) are difficult to recycle via conventional recycling methods and can be costly to process. DHSC are committed to not using landfill to dispose of these items and are looking at ways to avoid waste to energy and by sourcing solutions that could reduce surplus stock volumes of PPE and form part of a more circular route for these products. In this challenge DHSC are looking for organisations that might be able to use, process or repurpose surplus unused PPE currently in the form of eye and face protection, contained within various sites across the UK.
Companies with ideas, processes or solutions for modifying the use of component materials in their existing form or modification into new products that could have further application or use are sought within this challenge. This includes, but is not limited to, the deconstruction, mechanical or chemical recycling of the products and their associated packaging, creating new compounds/materials that may be of benefit as a material feedstock within the applicant company or to other manufacturers. DHSC are looking for compliant routes for repurposing, recycling or upcycling that will ensure as much of the products enter into a circular path and can be used for new items or put to use in a manner that allows it to be exited from storage and therefore reduces costs to the taxpayer, promotes social value and facilitates re-entry into the real economy to stimulate economic activity.

Challenge

74fe70a3-e011-4fc7-b5a9-2ceeefaeab95/DHSCGoggles.jpeg

Image 1. Typical goggles containing&nbsp;PVC frame, Polypropylene Copolymer screen, over 10 SKUs available.

a5fd64de-8de5-46a0-aded-fd23f19f3c00/DHSCVisor.png

Image 2. Headband Visor, Material - Polypropylene Copolymer Block Headband, Acetate visor.

Innovators should note they must be able to handle a significant volume of material.&nbsp; DHSC are ideally looking for organisations who offer scalable solutions and can handle multiple lorry- or container-loads of stock. DHSC recognizes that some applicants may only be capable of small-scale pilot/demonstrators. In those cases if there is no current capacity to handle significant volumes at present, innovators should set out how they could scale-up to these volumes (and beyond) over time. The table below describes indicative products that are being offered within this challenge:&nbsp;
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<tbody>
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<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
Product
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Material composition
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
Suggested Minimum volume
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
Eye Protectors | Goggles
10 SKU options
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
PVC frame Polypropylene Copolymer screen
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
1 lorry load (approx. 26 pallets and 60,000 units)
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
Face Protectors | Visors
1 SKU only
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
Polypropylene Copolymer Block Headband,&nbsp; Acetate visor
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 1pt;">
1 lorry load (approx. 26 pallets and 73,000 units)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Target Audience
It is anticipated that solutions may come from, but are not limited to, the following sectors:
<ul>
<li>Chemicals/Materials/Process specialists</li>
<li>New product/designers</li>
<li>Manufacturing</li>
<li>Construction/infrastructure</li>
<li>Furniture/craft/composites</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Successful candidates will be given the chance to pitch to DHSC as to their solution for repurposing these products.
DHSC are currently offering the surplus material on a cost neutral basis to the applicant, but may want to explore potential share gain agreements if innovators identify a solution which will generate significant income.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The package may also include:
<ul>
<li>Support from Innovate UK KTN</li>
<li>Support in the development of a prototype or pilot</li>
<li>Technical support</li>
<li>Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK KTN events</li>
<li>A potential business collaboration with DHSC</li>
<li>Investor introductions (if investment is required)</li>
<li>Support if any Innovate UK or similar competitions are relevant.</li>
</ul>

Rewards & Benefits

All organisations must be able to demonstrate they can handle the minimum volume/SKU size for each category as given by DHSC (in the table), or that they could scale up to these volumes rapidly.&nbsp;
Eye Protection Considerations
<ul>
<li>Many PPE items are individually packaged, and solution providers may also need to consider sorting, removing and reprocessing of these packaging materials.</li>
<li>Eye protection/goggles which include wrap-around glasses made from bonded multicomponent polymer materials lenses often consisting of differing polymer than the surround/frame. These glasses might need to be separated depending on the use case, into the different materials and then processed into workable raw materials or new products depending on the use case.</li>
<li>Innovators that don&rsquo;t have current pathways to reprocess packaging sleeves and other packaging materials please contact KTN for additional support to enhance your submission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Visor Considerations
<ul>
<li>Items may be individually wrapped, and solution providers may also need to consider the sorting, removing and reprocessing of these packaging materials.</li>
<li>Face shields may have transparent polymer frontage with a protective film which may need to be removed depending on the secondary use case.</li>
<li>Innovators that don&rsquo;t have current pathways to reprocess packaging sleeves and other packaging materials please contact KTN for additional support to enhance your submission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Delivery Consignment Considerations
<ul>
<li>Stock is stored in various locations around the country.&nbsp; DHSC are willing to discuss how innovators would want to receive stock if successful (e.g. delivery or pick-up).</li>
<li>The SKU is likely to be on pallets, in cardboard boxes with shrink wrap, innovators will need to consider reprocessing of these materials also.</li>
<li>Innovators that don&rsquo;t have current pathways to reprocess waste packaging please contact KTN for additional support to enhance your submission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
This project is looking for separation of the different materials, reprocessing where possible and proper disposal of what is hoped to be a remaining small percentage of the overall goods. In addition, once received, the goggles and visors can not re-enter the market in their existing form.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Functional Requirements

<ul>
<li>The organisation should follow the Government Waste Hierarchy and therefore not propose solutions that result in material sent to landfill but are willing to enter into discussions (for those selected to pitch) about support for the last resort of any small waste streams to go to Energy for waste.</li>
<li>It is assumed organisations can handle associated packaging and pallets within their existing waste procedures. If you cannot take responsibility for the packaging, please let us know within your application and Innovate UK KTN will explore assistance for this.</li>
<li>It is important to note that all transport and processing including disposal of waste components must conform to proper regulations, DHSC will support companies to ensure they have a proper understanding of what is needed and how it can be implemented.</li>
</ul>

Technical Requirements

Launch of the Competition: Monday 22nd August 2022 Deadline for applications: Friday 30th September 2022 Selection and notification of finalists: week commencing 17th October 2022 Date of Pitch day: TBC Solutions should ideally be able to begin to take the stock within 1-3 months of being successful within the competition.&nbsp;

Deployment Timescale

Where possible innovators should indicate the scalability of their process in terms of volumes of stock on a monthly basis.&nbsp; Successful applicants invited to the pitch stage would be expected to provide indicative high-level assumptions of the costs and benefits to ensure that the company can handle the quantity as well as understand the marketplace for the product.&nbsp; DHSC are currently offering the surplus material on a cost-neutral basis to the applicant but may want to explore potential share gain agreements if innovators identify a solution which will generate significant income.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cost Requirement & Market Opportunity

<ul>
<li>Energy from waste, DHSC are willing to enter into discussions (for those selected to pitch) about support for the last resort of any small waste streams to go to Energy for waste.</li>
<li>Auction or resale in current form</li>
<li>Sending to landfill or incineration&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Out of Scope

Entrants to this competition must be:
<ul>
<li>Established businesses, startups, SMEs, social enterprises or individual entrepreneurs</li>
<li>UK-based facility or have the intention to set up a UK base</li>
</ul>
Applications will be assessed on:
<ul>
<li>Relevance to the topic</li>
<li>Innovative nature of the subject</li>
<li>Coherence of the proposed business model</li>
<li>Feasibility/ economic viability</li>
<li>Development potential</li>
<li>Maturity of project/solution</li>
<li>Impact (those with ability to handle minimum volumes from the start score highly)</li>
<li>Scalability (those able to scale up to greater volumes score more highly)</li>
<li>Environmental impact</li>
<li>Cost&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ability to process entire product (those that can deal with everything with nothing going to waste scoring more highly)</li>
</ul>

Eligibility & Assessment Criteria

<ul>
<li>Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.</li>
<li>Any commercial deployment of a transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.</li>
<li>Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. (This would be expected to be after company selection, it is suggested that details of IP be not disclosed, Focus on the outcomes of the technology proposed).</li>
<li>Innovate UK and KTN do not take any share of IP ownership or enter into commercial ventures through the iX programme.</li>
</ul>

IP & Potential Commercial Route

As set out in the challenge statements, at the moment DHSC are only looking to work with UK-based companies or companies setting up a base in the UK.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Can a non UK company apply for the challenge?

DHSC request that candidate proposals suggest whether they would prefer to pick up the stock or have it delivered, the individual situations can then be discussed.

Innovative Applications for the Repurpose and Modification of Multicomponent Rigid PPE Polymer Products

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Background

This challenge is brought to you by:

Innovative Applications for the Repurpose and Modification of Multicomponent Rigid PPE Polymer ProductsCopy Link

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Background

This challenge is brought to you by:

Innovative Applications for the Repurpose and Modification of Multicomponent Rigid PPE Polymer Products