LJMU to help lower carbon footprint of local business

Small businesses are being invited to access R&D support from Liverpool John Moores University to support a ‘green’ recovery in the region.

Liverpool John Moores University is offering free expertise to more than 90 business to switch to new, low carbon technologies, processes and services, which will help to save around 380 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The offer comes as ECO-I North West is offically launched as the city seeks to 'build back better' after the pandemic.

“We’re looking for businesses who want to develop their low carbon ideas and innovations through collaborative R&D and commercialisation,” said John Mathias, Eco-I NW Project Manager, at LJMU.

Reduce your overheads

LJMU will be offering access to its cutting-edge facilities, expertise and resources through short-term interventions aimed at reducing operational costs, increasing competitive advantage and profitability, and developing new income streams.

Added John: “With the Liverpool City Region’s ambitious goal to be a zero-carbon city region by 2040, there has never been a more apt time for businesses to engage in the clean growth agenda. In working with SMEs, Eco-I NW is focussed on bouncing back better and growing greener.”

LJMU is part of a consortium of ECO-I universities, so businesses can access expertise from within the group, which includes Lancaster University, the University of Central Lancashire, University of Cumbria, University of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Eco-I NW is part of the Industry Innovation Zone at LJMU, which has collaborated with over 450 SMEs on innovation projects over the last 5 years. Whether it is product development, improving process efficiency or considering the next steps for commercial readiness, businesses can expect the support of experts within Eco-I NW who will work with them to identify and develop the right low carbon strategy for their business. 

'Invaluble'

Nadine Griffiths is Director of Flutter Shutter Ltd, a Garston-based insulation products firm, and one of the first to sign up. She said: "LJMU has been a pivotal and part of our growth and success. They have given us invaluable information on product devleopment and market research which will help to grow our business exponentially".

The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. 

Prof. Mike Riley, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Engineering and Technology, LJMU says “Eco-I NW has a crucial role to play in supporting innovation which will be at the heart of the North West’s post-Covid 19 recovery.”

“As a civic university, LJMU really values the benefits knowledge exchange projects, such as Eco-I NW, bring to businesses, the university and the wider community.”

More information can be found at https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/eco-i-northwest.

Businesses interested in signing up to Eco-I NW can contact eco-inorthwest@ljmu.ac.uk to set up an initial meeting with the team.

Notes to editor
Eco-I NW is a low carbon innovation support project delivering technical and peer support to businesses across the North West of England. 
This project is led by previous successful initiatives, following 2 national awards and 8 years’ experience of delivering R&D support to low carbon innovations in business. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do - our partnership includes the universities of Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Cumbria, Liverpool John Moores, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan.