The objective of this new funding competition, which opens on 3 October 2011, is to help companies with access to the market – the end-users – mobilise their supply chains to provide innovations that are precisely targeted to their currently unmet needs.

This competition addresses two high-level challenges - reducing the global environmental impact of the materials we use, and reducing our dependence on key raw materials, the supply of which potentially is at risk.  The new products and services proposed should, therefore, have a reduced environmental impact compared to current alternatives, and/or should be less dependent on the use of strategic materials.

Further information about the Resource Efficiency – Supply Chain Innovation competition (including deadlines for registration, the submission of expressions of interest and submission of applications) is available at: http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/resource-efficiency-supply-chain-innovation.ashx.

The first networking event to facilitate consortia building for this competition will take place on 20 September 2011 in London.  This event will also see the launch of the Materials Security Special Interest Group.  For further information about the event and the group please visit:https://ktn.innovateuk.org/web/supply-chain-innovation/overview.