By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A funding package of almost £600,000 has been secured by a consortium led by sustainable technology innovator, Sonichem, for the development of the proprietary Sonichem ultrasound technology and the production of renewable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals commonly used in the production of plastics, resins, and composites within the automotive industry.
The grant was received from Innovate UK’s Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM) programme.
The cutting-edge CARMA (carbon-neutral agroforestry-derived resins to materials for automotive applications) project will apply Sonichem’s ultrasonic processing technique to automotive applications for the first time.
The patented breakthrough approach converts sawdust, the biomass by-product from forestry operations, into high-quality lignin. This renewable material will then serve as the basis for bio-based platform chemicals, creating green alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived materials currently used to produce various vehicle components.
The funds will enable the international consortium to establish a robust and renewable lignin supply chain within the UK and accelerate the formulation of sustainable plastics and resins that contribute to steering the automotive industry toward a net-zero future and enhancing the UK’s bioeconomy.
The CARMA project aligns with the UK Government’s focus on resource-efficient, sustainable industrial materials as it aims to significantly reduce the UK’s reliance on imported composite materials, which currently amount to approximately £250-260 million per year.
“We’re extremely pleased to have the backing of Innovate UK’s REforMM programme for this strong industrial consortium.
“This funding is a catalyst in our quest to offer the automotive industry a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived plastics.
“With Sonichem’s ultrasound technology and the collaborative expertise of our partners, we are set to make strides toward a net-zero future and strengthen the UK’s bioeconomy,” the chief executive of Sonichem, Mr Adrian Black, said.
Also commenting, the Verification Manager at the National Composites Centre (NCC), Mr David Fishpool, said, “Creating a sustainable future is at the core of our mission.
“The NCC is proud to be part of this transformative initiative to accelerate the development of sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals in the production of plastics, resins, and composites for the automotive industry.
“Our role in this project underscores our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the materials sector. We eagerly anticipate contributing our expertise to this vital effort today, for a greener tomorrow.”
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka