Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Group
Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Group
Creating a cleaner future
We put the environment at the heart of everything we do to help create a cleaner future and a sustainable global economy. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach across the full technology supply chain, our focus is to develop sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to combat environmental damage.
Key contact
Key links
About our research
With expertise in materials engineering, chemistry, economics, chemical engineering, sustainable materials, polymer processing, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), environmental science, and microbiology, we offer strong interdisciplinary collaboration. Our knowledge in symbiotic and green manufacturing enables us to understand environmental damage and develop solutions.
We advocate for the use of waste and sustainable materials in new product development, supported by strong links with industry, government, and relevant partners. Our collaborations span various sectors, including automotive, motorsport, construction, medical, luxury goods, waste management, and energy. You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary connections and supporting skills in environmental assessment, supply chain management, and economics.
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing
We lead this unique collaboration between the Universities of Warwick, Exeter, and Cranfield, working to address industry-driven research challenges around sustainability, while training the research engineers and entrepreneurs of the future.
Supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), we are able to bring together diverse areas of expertise, and access cutting edge facilities from three leading Universities, to collaborate with industry in tackling today’s evolving issues, and future challenges.
Multi criteria decision aiding
Implementing sustainable solutions in a dynamic world can often require a deeper understanding of many factors and trade-offs. We have deployed robust methodologies using MCDA to allow for the combination of qualitative and quantitative data to be incorporated into decision-making processes.
Materials engineering
We have both design and characterisation capabilities across all material systems. Capabilities include extrusion, injection and compression moulding, forming, VARTM and surface treatments. Characterisation capabilities include mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical.
Chemistry
We have extensive experience in the chemical modification of natural and waste materials to enhance their functionality and increase their uptake by making them more suitable for industrial products and processing.
Economics
All of our research is underpinned by robust financial modelling and life cycle costing to ensure that our technical solutions are fit for purpose and commercially viable.
Industrial biotechnology
We can process bio-based materials using low energy routes such as fermentation in order to either break them down into materials suitable as green alternatives to traditional petrochemical derivatives or refine biomaterials by removing contaminants, enabling usage in higher value applications.
Life cycle analysis (LCA)
Utilising existing industrial and custom databases, we can produce life cycle assessments of industrial products and processes. Specifically, we can identify the area(s) of most significant environmental burden can be identified and then strategies to reduce the overall impact can be produced.
Sustainable materials and processes
We have a strong track record in the processing, design and engineering of circular material systems and manufacturing processes that enable them to deployed in the real world in a cost-effective manner.