PPG is looking to use open innovation to find solutions for the valorisation of solid paint waste produced after the cleaning of vessels and equipment. 
Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to pitch their solution to PPG. The winning applicant, as selected by the company, will then be eligible to apply for £25,000 grant funding to kickstart the development of the proposed solution through a 3-month project. 
The selected solution provider will be supported by PPG who will provide samples from one of its EU sites, with potential adoption of the solution if trials are successful. A successful solution could lead to future opportunities to work with PPG across other UK, EU, and global facilities. 


<div>
PPG is a global manufacturer and supplier of paints, coatings and speciality products. With operations in over 70 countries, PPG has an international portfolio of brands for a wide range of industrial and trade applications, including Johnstone&rsquo;s, Sigma, and Tikkurila.
Across PPG&rsquo;s architectural manufacturing facilities in the UK and EU, a significant portion of waste is generated by the cleaning of production vessels and filling equipment. This waste is a made up of water and water-based coatings, which are treated onsite through flocculation and dewatered through a filter press or centrifuge, generating a solid residue cake. The solid residue is managed through appropriate waste disposal methods, while the filtrate is treated as wastewater through an effluent treatment process.
PPG is looking for a circular, sustainably advantaged solutions for the solid waste, which will support its enterprise goals to reduce waste by 2030 by diverting 100% of this material waste away from waste disposal facilities. Addressing this topic may contribute to resolving broader global waste challenge within the industry.
</div>

Background

PPG is looking for solutions for the valorisation of the vessel cleaning waste stream to benefit other industries as a substitute for virgin materials. The filter cake is produced throughout the year and is a guaranteed supply and the primary focus is for sustainable and circular solutions for the use of the filter cake in other industries.
Ideally solutions should be TRL 6 or above and deployable for field tests within two years of the competition and commercially deployable by 2028. However PPG is open to earlier stage ideas that have quick routes to scale-up and deployment. Proposed solutions should consider:
<ul>
<li>the valorisation of the filter cake,</li>
<li>the cake properties and the properties and processes required to meet the needs of end user industries and applications,</li>
<li>opportunities to extract and valorise other valuable components from the cake, which could serve as a resource for various industrial applications,</li>
<li>sustainability metrics.</li>
</ul>
PPG has previously explored the potential use of the cake but has faced challenges due to the physical properties of the cake. The specific details of the filter cake are proprietary but the example contents are available in public literature. Here are some links to research that gives more information on paint composition and wastewater
<ul>
<li><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126464">Sustainable options for paints through a life cycle assessment method</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010678">Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Paint Industry Wastewater Treatment Methods</a></li>
</ul>
Links to research that has highlighted potential opportunities for valorisation are provided below:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.research.lancs.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/like-watching-paint-dry-water-recycling-in-the-paint-industry(4e8d49e1-abe0-43d5-9076-34084a10e385).html">&ldquo;LIKE WATCHING PAINT DRY&rdquo;: WATER RECYCLING IN THE PAINT INDUSTRY: Using chemistry to design &amp; develop processes, which will help to create a "circular economy" in paint manufacturing</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2024.e01219">Sustainable concrete utilizing waste latex paint</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(02)01084-0">Recycling waste latex paint in concrete</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2016.1234421">Applying the Three R&rsquo;s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in the Chemical Industry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522002510">Feasibility of sludge generated in water-based paint industries as cement replacement material</a></li>
</ul>

The Challenge

Solutions should primarily focus on the valorising the filter cake. This will enable the continued use of existing assets; however, PPG are open to alternative solutions.
The cake is transported in skips and needs to be dried sufficiently to meet shipping regulations for off-site transportation.
Solutions must:
<ul>
<li>Ensure minimal secondary waste generation from the valorisation process.</li>
<li>Maintain compliance with discharge consents and environmental permits for filtrateunless there&rsquo;s a suggestion on using/treating the filtrate (for solutions that may require changes to the filter cake).</li>
</ul>

Functional and Technical Requirements

The solution should take into consideration that:
<ul>
<li>Any solutions requiring changes to the production of the cake to suit the end application must not impact compliance with PPG&rsquo;s existing discharge consents and environmental permits for filtrate</li>
<li>PPG is looking for solutions utilising the existing cake offsite, however PPG is open to onsite suggestions.</li>
<li>Where the cake is to be transported offsite, the cake must be dry enough to meet transportation regulations.</li>
</ul>

Operating Conditions

<ul>
<li>Solutions that could negatively impact PPG&rsquo;s existing compliance with their discharge consent.</li>
<li>Solutions which may have negative environmental, social or economic impact.</li>
<li>Solutions from organisations registered outside of the UK.</li>
<li>The introduction of hazardous chemicals.</li>
</ul>

Out of Scope

Solutions should be cost-effective and demonstrate clear benefits to PPG and the end application. Any solution requiring CAPEX investment by PPG will need to achieve a payback period of three years.

Cost Requirement

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to PPG. The winning applicant, as selected by the company, will then be eligible to apply for &pound;25,000 grant funding to kickstart the development of the proposed solution through a 3-month project. Selected solutions will be provided access to more specific data on cake analysis and samples (subject to NDA). Initial work will be conducted based on the cake samples from an EU site with potential adoption of the solution it trials are successful. A PPG site visit could also be arranged.
The solution has potential to be deployed / adapted at an initial EU site. A successful implementation of a solution could lead to future opportunities to work with PPG across other UK, EU and global facilities.
The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:
<ul>
<li class="Normal1">Support from Innovate UK Business Connect.</li>
<li class="Normal1">Support in the development of a prototype or pilot.</li>
<li class="Normal1">Technical support.</li>
<li class="Normal1">Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events.</li>
<li class="Normal1">A potential business collaboration.</li>
<li class="Normal1">Investor introductions (if investment is required).</li>
<li class="Normal1">Support if any Innovate or similar competitions are relevant.</li>
</ul>

Rewards & Market Opportunity

<ul>
<li>Challenge launch: 20th August 2025</li>
<li>Deadline for applications: 17th September 2025</li>
<li>Selection and notification of finalists: 10th October 2025</li>
<li>Pitch Day: 17th October 2025</li>
<li>Confirm selected solution provider: 22nd October 2025</li>
<li>Submission to Innovation Funding Service (IFS): 5th November 2025</li>
<li>Project length: 3 months, completion by 31st March 2026</li>
</ul>

Timescales

This iX is in the Foundation Industries and supply chains challenges. Due to the nature of this challenge and the funding support available, there the following eligibility criteria:
<ul>
<li class="Normal1">Entrants to this competition must be a UK registered business.</li>
<li class="Normal1">Entrants can only apply to one of the Foundation Industries and supply chains challenges.</li>
</ul>

Eligibility

The application form for this challenge will require applicants to provide company information and answer 3 questions - Idea Summary, Technology Readiness and Intellectual Property &ndash; each with a limit of 300 words.
Additionally, the following documents must be attached for your application to be considered: 
<ul>
<li>Project plan</li>
<li>Project costings &ndash; only eligible costs will be funded, please read the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/costs-we-fund/costs-guidance-for-non-academic-organisations/">Innovate UK Costs guidance</a> for further information</li>
</ul>
Your project must:
<ul>
<li>Have a grant funding request up to &pound;25,000 (eligible costs only, see above)</li>
<li>Start on 1st January 2026 and complete by 31st March 2026</li>
<li>Carry out its project work in the UK</li>
<li>Intend to exploit the results from or in the UK</li>
</ul>
Applications will be assessed on:
<ul>
<li class="Normal1">Relevance to the defined challenge</li>
<li class="Normal1">Benefit of implementation</li>
<li class="Normal1">Feasibility/economic viability</li>
<li class="Normal1">Innovative nature</li>
<li class="Normal1">Ability to launch in line with expected timescales</li>
<li class="Normal1">Credibility of applicant company</li>
<li class="Normal1">Coherence of the proposed business model</li>
<li class="Normal1">Development potential</li>
<li class="Normal1">Maturity of the solution</li>
<li class="Normal1">Suitability for the intended geographic market</li>
</ul>
If selected through this competition, you will be invited to apply for &pound;25,000 grant funding through the Innovation Funding Service (IFS). Applicants will need to to upload the following documents to IFS once notified:
<ul>
<li>Project plan</li>
<li>Project costing</li>
<li>Minimal Financial Assistance (and de minimis where applicable) declaration (details can be found <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/general-guidance/funding-rules/">here</a>)</li>
</ul>
Minimal Financial Assistance:
Grant funding in this competition is awarded as Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA). This allows public bodies to award up to &pound;315,000 to an enterprise in a 3-year rolling financial period. If your application is successful and you are invited to apply for grant funding you will be asked to declare previous funding received by you. This will form part of the financial checks ahead of Innovate UK making a formal grant offer.

Assessment criteria

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 challenge holder.
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 challenge holder.
Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the solution provider(s) and challenge holder. (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).
Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect do not take any share of IP ownership or enter commercial ventures through the iX programme.

IP& Potential Commercial Route

We recommend that you complete the application form in Google Chrome as other browsers may have compatibility issues. The application form does not need to be completed in one session and can be saved for future edits. Please ensure that you toggle &ldquo;Stage Complete&rdquo; for each section before submission. Note that you will no longer be able to edit your application once you have clicked &ldquo;Submit Idea&rdquo; at the bottom of the Summary page.

Application & Technical Guidance

By submitting an application to this Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge, you acknowledge and agree that the information you provide will be shared with Innovate UK Business Connect and the challenge holder for the purposes of assessment and selection. All information submitted will be handled in confidence and shared only with those involved in the assessment and selection process under appropriate confidentiality expectations.
Please consider the level of detail you share in your submission to ensure it aligns with your own internal confidentiality or disclosure policies.
A selected panel of assessors will review and score your application. The panel of assessors will meet and agree a consensus score. Successful solutions will be selected by the challenge holder. Success will be based upon total consensus scores, a portfolio approach and capacity within the challenge holder&rsquo;s organisation to carry out the projects.
For more information on how Innovate UK Business Connect handles personal data, please refer to our&nbsp;<a href="https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/privacy-policy/" target="_new">Privacy Policy</a>.

Terms & Conditions

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Valorisation of paint waste from vessel and equipment cleaning

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Background

This challenge is brought to you by:

Valorisation of paint waste from vessel and equipment cleaningCopy Link

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Background

This challenge is brought to you by:

Valorisation of paint waste from vessel and equipment cleaning