THE GLOBAL BUSINESS INNOVATION PROGRAMME SOUTH AFRICA – SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS

The Global Business Innovation Programme

Innovate UK is inviting ambitious companies to participate in the Global Business Innovation Programme. Delivered by Innovate UK EDGE, the programme consists of a preparation phase followed by a 5-day innovation visit focussed on South Africa, a post-visit exploitation workshop and support of approximately 12 months from an Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist, helping your business maximise opportunities identified, including developing innovation projects with partners in the territory.

Benefits:

  • Explore Sustainable Packaging opportunities in South Africa.
  • A better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in South Africa.
  • Find potential innovation collaborators and partners and develop your network in the UK and globally.
  • Improve your company value proposition to international partners and investors.

Why South Africa?

With a population of c60million, an established plastic packaging production and treatment sector and approximately 800,000 tonnes per annum. of mismanaged waste plastic, South Africa has the scale and infrastructure to benefit from exploiting innovative solutions for plastic waste. Additionally, SA has a well established and highly active informal waste sector, reported to supply between 80% and 90% of plastic packaging for recycling. In 2019, virgin polymers made up 82% of polymer consumption. However, implementation of the EPR scheme in 2021 will drive market demand for good quality recyclate and collected recyclables. Disruptive new business models such as reuse and refill systems are growing. South Africa has shown it is ready to embrace new approaches to reducing plastic packaging waste. The South African Plastics Pact www. saplasticspact.org.za was established in January 2020 with support from WRAP. Over 40 major business and organisations members across the value chain, including Coca Cola, Unilever and Danone have signed up to a joint set of ambitious Plastic Pact targets and published a Roadmap (see link) to drive change by 2025. As such, there are various opportunities for UK businesses to engage with stakeholders across the value chain to collaborate on solutions for a well integrated formal and informal circular plastics economy, generating high quality, valuable plastic material in South Africa. 

Focus Areas:

We welcome applications that focus on, but are not limited to:

  • Flexible film packs including small formats
  • Reusable packaging and refill business models
  • Collecting, cleaning, decontaminating, sorting, separating
  • End Market Development

Key Dates:
1st March 2022: Applicant Briefing
27th March 2022: Application Deadline
12th & 26th April 2022: Pre visit workshops
22nd &28th May 2022: Innovation Visit
W/c 12th September 2022: Exploitation Workshop 

What to expect:

The Global Business Innovation Programme is structured around three main phases and each business will have a designated Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist to support them for the duration of the offering, including developing an action plan to capitalise on the opportunities identified. The three main phases of the Global Business Innovation Programme are: Getting ready for the market: Pre-activity briefing workshop(s) to build knowledge and understanding of the market and potential opportunities, including how to do business, cultural aspects, how to protect your IP and training on how to improve your pitch and articulate your value proposition. (2 half day workshops)

Visiting the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through meeting with key companies and research organisations and potential collaborators and partners through pre-arranged meetings and organised matchmaking. (5 days of market related activity)

Exploiting the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one support from a Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist to follow up and take advantage of the opportunities identified. (1 day workshop and working with an Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist)

Innovation visit - example itinerary (subject to change):

Travel will be subject to the entry rules of South Africa. Should travel not be permitted the programme will be delivered virtually or postponed

  • 12 Apr 2022 Pre-Visit Workshop 1
  • 26 Apr 2022 Pre-Visit Workshop 2
  • 22 May 2022 Depart UK / Arrive SA
  • 23 May 2022 Johannesburg | Welcome & sector briefings, B2B meetings, panel discussions, site visits* and networking opportunities
  • 24 -25 May 2022 Port Elizabeth | The Second International Conference Of The African Marine Waste Network (https://conference.sst.org.za)
  • 26 - 27 May 2022 Cape Town | Sector briefings, B2B meetings, panel discussions, site visits* and networking opportunities, incl. time for own meetings / free time
  • 28 May 2022 Depart SA / Arrive UK

To apply for this initiative, you must:

  • Be a UK based innovation led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
  • Be a business with fewer than 500 employees
  • Be able to attend and complete all activities

What is the Cost?
Innovate UK and Innovate UK EDGE will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and conference fees for successful applicants. Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded. On acceptance to the initiative a commitment fee of £500 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed action plan. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fee.

How to Apply?
The Global Business Innovation Programme has a competitive application process where only the best applications will be successful following an evaluation process. All applications must be made online through the Innovate UK EDGE website and received no later than 27 March. Successful applicants will be notified w/c 4th April 2022. Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. As such, we welcome applications from under-represented groups

Additional info & assistance:
Please note: Successful applicants will be expected to fully comply with any conditions of travel to South Africa as well as any local regulations on face covering and social distancing. As such, you might be required to provide proof of vaccination, valid travel medical insurance and/or negative COVID-19 test ahead of travelling to South Africa The safety of our delegation is our top priority. If the COVID-19 situation does not allow us to travel to the market, a virtual visit or postponement may be considered. To fill in the online application form please visit the Innovate UK EDGE website. For more information, assistance with your application or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Gail Leathley, Innovation & Growth Specialist at: Email: Gail.Leathley@innovateukedge.ukri.org