On Wednesday September 20th, Lancaster University will showcase work taking place at the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation giving local businesses an opportunity to see their work and learn about further developments.

The centre - which supports businesses in the development of new products and services with environmental benefits - is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivers high quality business-led research, enabling enterprises to access the expertise, resources and global contacts of Lancaster University and its national and international partners.

The centre has helped more than 300 businesses to develop over the previous three years and is open to work with a similar number over the next three. Projects have ranged from tidal energy systems to new ways of growing crops.

Dr Andy Pickard, Manager at the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, said: “We are currently looking for research project opportunities from one month to one year in duration. We are also seeking businesses with challenges which our research base can address to deliver low carbon solutions in all sectors."

This event will showcase the current group of SME-led research projects, including intensive three-year PhD research and development projects, short term projects and Low Carbon Innovation Forum delegates.  The Low Carbon Innovation Forum is a peer-to-peer network of businesses supported by Lancaster University Management School to build capacity in businesses as to how to address low carbon innovation.

Lancaster University is working with partner institutes to deliver this support across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Merseyside. Colleagues from delivery partners at the Universities of Cumbria, Chester, Central Lancashire, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology a will also be at the event.

This showcase begins at 4pm with refreshments and an exhibition featuring some of the 50 Northwest SMEs undertaking long-term intensive collaborative R&D projects. Displays from the partner institutions will show current research areas and additional opportunities.

The event will include parallel breakout sessions covering key themes; water, energy and food security. Delegates will then gather together to hear from senior university staff, eco-innovation champions and keynote speaker Chris Brown, Vice President of Sustainability at Olam International.   

Olam, through embracing sustainable innovation at its heart, has grown from a $2m to a $70bn business, trading worldwide.

The keynote will finish at 6.30pm followed by a buffet dinner and further time to network and visit the exhibition stands.  Further information is available at their Eventbrite registration site. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for-global-eco-innovation-showcase-event-tickets-36438248783