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The ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ is a key partner in a new £3.35 million Prosperity Partnership aiming to transform how polymers in liquid formulations (PLFs) are designed, tested and regulated, helping industry develop more sustainable products and reduce environmental harm.

The five-year pre-competitive research programme, Mission Biodegradability, is led by the University of Birmingham and unites academic and industry partners including Croda, BASF, Lubrizol, Unilever, the Centre for Process Innovation, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ. It is funded through UK Research and Innovation’s EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships scheme.

The ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ (RSC) will play a central role in shaping the project’s policy workstream, facilitating the science-policy interface so the research informs practical standards and evidence-based policymaking that benefit consumers, industry and the environment.

PLFs are found in a wide range of products including detergents, cosmetics, coatings and agrochemicals. Their widespread use – and the fact they are often washed down the drain or dispersed into the environment – makes their biodegradability an urgent challenge.

The RSC’s , published in 2023, set out a vision for cross-sector innovation to address the sustainability challenges of polymers in liquid formulations.

The development of biodegradable PLFs was one of two headline missions to be achieved by 2030. This mission focuses on reducing the environmental impact of PLFs that cannot be recovered after use and may persist in soil or water systems.

The roadmap now guides the newly launched Sustainable PLFs 2040 initiative catalysed by the RSC. It enables collaborative action across the sector, including pre-competitive research, regulatory engagement and policy development – all of which are reflected in the work of the new Prosperity Partnership.

In the Mission Biodegradability project, the RSC will:

• Lead efforts to develop policy recommendations based on new scientific evidence. 
• Convene key UK, EU and international stakeholders.
• Support the development of future test standards that better reflect real-world conditions.
• Represent the Sustainable PLFs Initiative on the project’s Strategic Advisory Board.

This new Prosperity Partnership is a key example of how collaborative, pre-competitive research can drive innovation that benefits industry, the environment and society.

This collaboration is a great example of the meaningful change our Sustainable PLFs movement aims to catalyse. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting difference, and we are excited to contribute our insights and connections and work towards science-informed policy and standards.

Dr Dan Korbel, ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ Policy Unit Lead at the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ

It's exciting to see the PLFs research community unite in a truly pre-competitive spirit to advance our roadmap. I'm proud to have worked with the RSC team who have driven this cross-sectorial collaboration, reaching a point to accelerate progress toward biodegradable PLFs and strengthen the industry's ability to meet REACH Regulation requirements.

Professor Anju Massey-Brooker, Programme Lead, Sustainable PLFs Initiative at the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ

These partnerships show the range of real-world challenges the UK’s world-class research base is helping to tackle – from cutting carbon emissions in heavy transport, to improving access to life-saving medicines.

By backing scientists to work hand-in-hand with industry, we’re combining cutting-edge research with business expertise to turn science into practical solutions that can make a difference in people’s daily lives.

Lord Vallance, Minister of State for ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ, Research and Innovation

The Prosperity Partnerships initiative unites top UK universities and businesses to collaboratively create and deliver transformative research. This year, EPSRC has committed £41 million to support 23 new partnerships, with an additional £56 million contributed as matched funding by industry and academic partners. 

These 23 ambitious projects present a significant investment in the UK’s future. From speeding up drug manufacturing to longer-lasting batteries, these partnerships have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives and help boost the economy.

Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair of EPSRC

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