Next Welsh Government must support growth of vital food and drink industry
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Cymru and the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) have today launched what it sees as the key priorities for the next Welsh Government.
Funding provides opportunities for food and drink manufacturers to address both contemporary and future business challenges through the development of innovative solutions.
Funding bodies in the UK including Innovate UK, the KTN, and the research councils (such as BBSRC and the EPSRC), run several calls throughout the year which are in line with the UK’s Industrial Strategy. The FDF maintains close ties to these organisations and seeks to provide an understanding of what funding is available to its members.
The FDF has also established connections with researchers within academic institutions and businesses, which provide innovative solutions to various business challenges. The FDF can connect you with the right people to drive innovation through suggesting funding routes and collaboration partners for project consortia. Project support is also available to our members when funding applications are submitted.
Information on industry developments, funding and supported projects are updated on our site regularly.
Updates & milestones
West Midlands Low Carbon and Circular Economy Fund
Sustainability is the major innovation challenge of our time; providing both an opportunity and the challenge for business growth over the coming decades. As the lead for the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy Delivery Plan for Food and Drink Manufacturing and for Low Carbon, GBSLEP wants to support businesses across the West Midlands in driving forward sustainable innovation.
The West Midlands Low Carbon and Circular Economy Innovation Fund is targeted at food and drink manufacturers and low carbon businesses; to provide businesses and innovators with the opportunity to test their sustainable approach or product on the market and create pathways to investment.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
BEIS Industrial Energy Accerlerator
Phase 3 of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA) programme will provide around £8 million in funding for the development and demonstration of technologies that could:
- reduce energy consumption
- maximise resource efficiency
- cut carbon emissions
How to register your interest
This competition will be run by the Carbon Trust, who will act as the delivery partner on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
To register your interest:
- read the scope of the IEEA document for further information about the programme.
- register your interest on the Carbon Trust website.
BEIS: Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 2
Low carbon technology Funding Climate change & net zeroCloses: 6 December 2021
The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) supports the development and deployment of technologies that enable businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future.
IETF Phase 2: Autumn 2021 provides up to £60 million of grant funding for the following project types:
- studies - feasibility and engineering studies to enable companies to investigate identified energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects prior to making an investment decision.
- energy efficiency - deployment of technologies to reduce industrial energy consumption.
- deep decarbonisation - deployment of technologies to achieve industrial emissions savings
BEIS is delivering this phase of the competition for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
BEIS: NZIP Industrial Fuel Switching Innovation Competition
As part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), the proposed competition will support innovation in the development of pre-commercial fuel switch and fuel switch enabling technology for the industrial sector, to help industry switch from high to lower carbon fuels. Further details on scope and eligibility can be found here.
On the 12th of October 2021 10;00-12:00 BST, a briefing event will be held. Register for the event here.
Funding for Digital Projects from Made Smarter
Funding Automation & technologyDo you want to merge your business with emerging digital technologies? Go to market faster? Cut costs? Reduce downtime? If you’re a maker in the West Midlands, Made Smarter can help.
What is Made Smarter?
Made Smarter is a programme backed by world-renowned support organisations. The programme connects makers like you to the digital tools that will transform the way you work.
How can I benefit?
Join Made Smarter and you’ll benefit from fully-funded specialist technology experts. They’ll help you identify the right digital tools and use them to make everyday improvements to your business. Up to 50% match funding is available to implement projects, as well as guidance on creating an effective digital roadmap to ensure the right technology is taking your business in the right direction. Further opportunities are also available to advance your own skills with leadership training as well as digital internships programmes to develop learning for your business.
Register for a free personalised assessment now at madesmarter.uk and discover how new digital technologies can help you make the difference for your business.
Eligibility
- Manufacturing and Engineering sector.
- Small or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 250 employees.
- Turnover of less than €50 million, or a balance sheet total of less than €43 million.
- Trading in the West Midlands -Coventry & Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham & Solihull, Shropshire and Herefordshire, Stoke & Staffordshire, The Black Country and Worcestershire.
- Standard state aid/de minimis requirements.
£55m funding available in Government’s Net Zero fuel switching scheme
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced several innovation competitions, part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, running between 2021 and 2025. £55 million will be made available under the Industrial Fuel Switching Competition. The competition aims to support innovation for pre-commercial fuel switching technologies, including low carbon electricity, hydrogen, and biomass, and to contribute to the delivery of the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy published by BEIS in March 2021. Further information about this competition, and others under the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, can be found at gov.uk.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please get in touch with emma.piercy@fdf.org.uk or industry.innovation@beis.gov.uk.
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Related topics
Automation and manufacturing technology
Automation is likely to be a key development in food manufacturing as part of the need to increase efficiency and productivity.
Low carbon technology
As the UK embraces Net Zero Carbon targets, low carbon technology will be an important area for development.
Pre-competitive research priorities
Topics of shared interest to the food and drink sector that underpin progress towards key societal issues can be supported by pre-competitive research which we aim to identify with FDF members.