The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £5m in feasibility projects and collaborative research and development to encourage the development and commercialisation of innovative approaches to sustainable manufacturing in the process industry.

Innovation in sustainability is vital for the continued success and growth of the UK process industry, including for the bulk and fine chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech, agrochemical, coatings and lubricant, food and drink, home and personal care, mining, water, construction materials, and oil and fuel sectors. We aim to encourage innovation in manufacturing steps that improve economic performance, benefit the environment and have a positive social impact.

Up to £4.6m is available for collaborative R&D projects, which must be business-led and include an end user.

Up to £400k is available for feasibility projects, which must be business-led and may be collaborative or led by single companies. Collaborative R&D projects should last one to three years and will atract up to 50% public funding.

Feasibility projects should last six to nine months and will attract up to 75% public funding.

The competition opens on 27 February 2012. The deadline for applications for feasibility funding is at noon on 25 April 2012.

There is a two-stage process for collaborative R&D funding. Expressions of interest must be submitted by noon on 25 April 2012 and the second stage for invited applicants opens on 21 May 2012.

The deadline for final applications is at noon on 4 July 2012. A briefing day for potential applicants for feasibility and collaborative R&D funding will be held on 8 March 2012.