MORE than £15-million has been allocated for investment in Cornish projects which drive research, development and innovation within the local economy. 

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme is backing cutting-edge innovation with a £15.85-million investment in projects to drive more research, development and innovation (RD&I) across the local economy. 

RD&I investment is seen as crucial to helping businesses develop new products and services, create more well-paid jobs, and become more competitive and productive. But in Cornwall and Scilly such investment has lagged behind other areas. 

Now the Good Growth Programme has invested millions of pounds with the aim of helping local businesses embrace innovation. 

As well as investment in business support projects to offer advice and grants, the programme has also recently announced a £3-million investment in a trio of pioneering Cornish companies spanning microplastics, composite materials and biotechnology.  

Among those to receive funding is Bude-based company, Cleaner Seas.  

The greentech company will receive £742,000 to put towards a £990,000 world-leading project that aims to convert microfibre plastics into a new material for use in a host of industries. 

The company is focused on innovations that prevent microplastics from reaching the environment and oceans. In an effort to do so, the company has already launched a ground-breaking, circular microfibre capture filter for domestic and commercial washing machines. 

Microfibre pollution from laundry wastewater is the number one source of primary microplastic pollution in our oceans. When washed, synthetic clothing sheds microfibres — tiny synthetic and natural fragments (shorter than 5mm). These fibres pose a serious threat to marine environments, human food chain and human health.

In partnership with leading UK academics and universities, the Cleaner Seas Group has developed a world first, emission-free technique to convert captured microfibres into a new material for use in new products.  The output material has a multitude of properties and uses from building materials to electric car battery components and much more which will be available for global supply and recent council investment hopes to support this. 

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: "Our region has a proud history of innovation and these investments from the Good Growth Programme are supporting some of our most innovative companies to commercially develop new ideas and technologies while creating skilled, high-value jobs. 

"Overall, we are investing £11.4-million in research, development and innovation including specialist support and small grants for business, which are delivered through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub. As well as helping to boost business efficiency and productivity, many of these investments are supporting the journey to net zero, including the development of cutting edge technological solutions to environmental issues."