Scott Bader’s link between industry and academia is pioneering potentially game-changing developments.

iCAST is currently exploring the synthesis of self-healing resins (vitrimers) from bio-based raw materials – enabling composites to repair themselves.

We’re also working with the group to investigate green chemistry routes to improve the sustainability of polyurethane (PU) production. Eliminating harmful chemicals involved in the making of this common material and minimising its end-of-life impact.

Steering the automotive industry in a sustainable direction

We’re part of an exciting consortium elected to participate in an Innovate UK funded research project. Spearheaded by Sonichem and supported by Polestar, The National Composites Centre (NCC), SHD Composites and technology innovation catalyst CPI, as well as Scott Bader, our mission is to make the shift to bio-based plastics a commercially viable manufacturing reality.

By converting sawdust – a biomass by-product from forestry operations – into high quality lignin, our work together is creating green alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived materials,  currently used to produce various vehicle components. Supporting carbon reduction and the upcycling of waste products.

Reducing 99% of VOCs and 75% of waste in UK adhesive plant

Historically, adhesives and bonding pastes are very difficult to clean, often requiring acetone, a highly flammable chemical, and complex safety processes to ensure employee wellbeing.

Looking for a safer and more sustainable approach, we implemented Ambimization®, a water-based cleaning solution from Terrafend, to clean the mixing heads and moveable vessels used to manufacture our structural adhesives and composite materials. Following the implementation, we has reduced the use of acetone by 50% in our UK adhesive manufacturing plant, cutting VOC usage by 99%. In addition, the innovative cleaning solution can be reused up to 20 times, reducing the plant’s waste by 75% and its overall water consumption.

The innovative project won the prestigious Clean Technology Award at the UK National Sustainability awards in 2024.

Sustainable chemicals hub

Scott Bader is an industrial partner on the Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub (SCHEMA). SCHEMA is one of five new manufacturing research hubs announced by UKRI EPSRC as part of their research for a sustainable future. Receiving a £33 million investment from the UK Government and industrial partners, SCHEMA is a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary programme convening researchers from across the UK with a large consortium of chemical, technology translation, and civic partners to improve the sustainability of chemical and polymer production by transforming their design, manufacture, and recyclability.

The hub aims to become a focal point for the UK Chemical and materials manufacturing community as we seek to address key challenges.

Revolutionising solar roofing installation

A similar supply chain collaboration with an Oxford University spin-out means more people and businesses can use solar energy. Working with OXECO,  the team achieved a superior bond and much simplified installation process for fitting lightweight, flexible solar panels.

This development is helping to overcome previous limitations that were preventing wider adoption of improved renewable energy solutions.

The resulting technology takes the installation down to five minutes from an hour, can survive a category five hurricane and is suitable for a much wider range of surfaces and roofing materials.