Net zero: industrial sustainability
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the UK economy, contributing £192bn and employing 2.6 million people. As the sector continues to grow, with £452bn in product sales in 2024, the need for sustainable transformation has never been greater.
HVM Catapult is leading the charge toward a net zero future, helping UK manufacturers adopt cleaner, smarter and more resilient practices.
Our mission is to enable UK industry to thrive in a low-carbon economy by driving innovation and sustainability across the manufacturing sector. By accelerating the development of sustainable products and materials and supporting the adoption of next-generation manufacturing technologies, we can make sustainability a source of competitive advantage for UK manufacturers.
Our priority areas
We are focusing on four workstreams to address the UK’s most pressing industrial sustainability challenges.
Industrial decarbonisation
Industrial decarbonisation, which involves a digitally and process-led transformation of manufacturing. This includes deploying tools to accurately measure and manage energy and carbon usage and supporting the adoption of low- and no-carbon energy sources for energy-intensive processes. These efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.
Resource efficiency
Resource efficiency, which centres on extending the lifecycle of products and materials. Through remanufacturing, disassembly, and materials recovery, we promote circular economy practices that enhance sustainability, reduce operational costs, and improve supply chain resilience. By recovering and reusing valuable resources, manufacturers can reduce waste and dependency on virgin materials.
Sustainable product and material development
Sustainable product and material development, which aims to accelerate the design, prototyping, testing, and scale-up of sustainable products. We are working to lower the time, cost, and complexity barriers that often hinder the market entry of innovative materials and products. This enables manufacturers to respond more quickly to environmental challenges and consumer demand for greener solutions.
Next generation processes
Next generation processes support the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across UK manufacturing. We help businesses understand and evaluate the benefits of these innovations through real-world applications, ensuring they are equipped to integrate advanced processes that drive efficiency, quality, and sustainability.