iX Challenge: Developing cost-effective polyols from UK waste-carbon for digital mass manufacturing

Overview

This is a commercial challenge rather than a cash grant. Photocentric, a UK-based maker of photopolymer resins, 3D printers and advanced manufacturing systems, wants a scalable, cost-effective way to make clean polyols from UK waste-carbon. The polyols would be used in resins for its JENI additive manufacturing system. The challenge runs through the Innovate UK Business Connect Innovation Exchange programme. The page does not state a funding amount. Instead, selected applicants work directly with Photocentric to evaluate, test and develop their solutions. Photocentric can offer data, facilities, testing environments, technical expertise and access to its in-house laboratory and chemistry capabilities. Other benefits may include prototype or pilot support, event invitations and investor introductions. The initial commercial opportunity is about 1,000 tonnes of polyol a year, with scope to grow. You can focus on feedstock purification, conversion to polyol, polyol purification, or a mix. Partial solutions are welcome. Solutions should typically be at TRL 4 or above, though earlier stage ideas are considered. You need to be able to produce at least 1 kg of polyol for lab testing. Target specifications include moisture below 0.35%, contamination below 0.1% and molecular weight typically between 200 and 16,000. The challenge opened on 20 October 2026 and closes on 11 December 2026 at 5:00pm. Finalists will be told on 27 January 2027 and pitch day is 10 February 2027, though these dates may change because of the festive period. One caveat: solutions based only on virgin fossil feedstocks or purpose-grown biomass are unlikely to be suitable. Your existing background IP stays with you. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-developing-cost-effective-polyols-from-uk-waste-carbon/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.