Lafarge, Innovate UK Global support innovation with N52m

In order to discover creative circular economy, Lafarge Africa Plc. in partnership with Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa,has instituted a cash prize of £25,000(about N52 million ) in seed funding for innovative companies from various sectors : Construction, Recycling, Manufacturing, Materials, Chemistry, Energy, Data, Design, artificial Intelligence(AI), Energy etc.

In a joint statement, the two parties explain that the objective of the initiative is to seek innovative circular solutions by using Construction Demolition Materials (CDM) to decarbonize the construction industry and drive innovation in the construction sector. circular solutions by using CDM to decarbonize the construction industry.”

The statement added that the challenge focuses on developing digital platforms to identify sources of CDM and local technologies for processing and recycling these materials.

According to the Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi,  “We are a building solutions company committed to sustainability, innovation and operational excellence. As a member of the Holcim Group, we are reducing carbon emissions by fostering innovative ideas and technologies to facilitate sustainable transformation within the construction industry. To make a positive impact on the construction sector, we are seeking creative circular ideas for utilizing Construction Demolition Materials (CDM) to address material waste and climate change challenges to contribute to decarbonization.

“Lafarge Africa and Global Alliance Africa are seeking sustainable, local solutions rather than importing raw materials, and are actively engaged in R&D to make recycled materials more reactive & valuable.

Babar Javed , Innovate UK: Open Innovation Lead, on his part states that  “the goal of Global Alliance Africa’s Open Innovation intervention is to help large companies find innovative solutions to technical problems that their traditional supply chains cannot solve. Using our bespoke platform, we match real industry problems with innovative companies or academic institutions who can provide novel, market ready solutions. We are delighted to be working with Lafarge Africa to find innovative solutions for the recycling of Construction Demolition Materials”.

The application deadline is the 27th of August, 2024.The winner of the innovation challenge will pitch to Lafarge Africa and will be invited to collaborate with them on a trial project.