ARLI

ARLI Website Banner with Recycling Icons in background - University of Birmingham - ARLI Alternative Raw Materials with Low Impact - European Union ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) logo

 The exciting ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) project ARLI (Alternative Raw Materials with Low Impact) offers eligible businesses a unique opportunity to improve their competitiveness.

About ARLI

ARLI brings together a team of academics and engineers to work collaboratively with businesses in developing cost-effective products, packaging and processes, which provide efficiency gains in the use of raw and waste materials. The project aims to identify waste streams or alternative innovative materials that could be transformed into higher value goods for a wide range of construction and manufacturing applications, contributing to the circular economy and ‘net zero’. 

ARLI - Statistics banner - 135 Projects Delivered, 95 Collaboration research projects, 31 start-ups created, 22 new to firm products, 19 new to market products, 13 new jobs created.

ARLI list - Sustainability in the supply chain, design for disassembly, design for remanufacture, reuse of waste streams, waste reduction, reducing raw material use, material substitution.

What are the benefits?

ARLI provides businesses with high quality research from an award-winning institute, specifically around your goal that could provide you with a sustainable edge on your competitors.  Research is funded – so there is no cost to you or your business.  

The ARLI team work with SMEs to:

  • Reduce raw material use and improve resource efficiency;
  • Promote the benefits of the Circular Economy and Net Zero;
  • Reuse waste streams by developing innovative new materials and products;
  • Substitute harmful or non-biodegradable materials with natural, eco-friendly materials;
  • Enhance sustainability within the supply chain;
  • Explore innovative low carbon engineering solutions including infrastructure;
  • Develop alternative materials for use in building systems, construction and off-site manufacturing;
  • Understand Life Cycle and Whole Life Costing and provide Carbon analysis of materials and processes;
  • Unlock new opportunities and create jobs.

ARLI scientist working on computer

ARLI Scientist checking measurements on a test tube

ARLI Stats - 90% of businesses said ARLI had a positive impact on their company. Over 1/2 of businesses have developed new commercial products. 60% of businesses substituted raw materials for more sustainable materials and reduced waste. 55% of businesses forecast an increase in turnover in the next 2 years

Picture of a man giving a tour to another man in an ARLI lab

Picture of a man giving a tour to another man in an ARLI labPicture of a man holding raw materials inside an ARLI lab

Am I eligible for support?Local enterprise partnership (LEP) Areas Map

If you are an SME in one of the following LEP areas: Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP; Black Country LEP or Coventry & Warwickshire LEP with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than 50 million euros then you could be eligible for support.

ARLI Feedback

"The research conducted by ARLI has been fundamental to our business development and work to bring our new process to market. Work and communication throughout our collaboration was effective and professional. ARLI is a platform I have spoken about to oth
"The team at ARLI undertook a comprehensive review and analysis of a number of core technologies to advance Gaiatech's awareness and understanding of decortication of natural fibres. The Research has allowed us to evaluate sustainable methods of natural d
"THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE ARLI TEAM HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL TO THE BUSINESS IN DETAILING POTENTIAL ADDITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE 'TORC' MATERIAL. THE REPORT PRESENTED US WITH A NUMBER OF OPTIONS THAT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRIMARY
"Professional, Knowledgeable and Extremely Helpful" Toni Ososanya, Director of Covest Limited
"I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE SUPPORT RECEIVED. THIS HAS ENABLED US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTS WE ARE BRINGING TO MARKET." Oliver Wessley, Managing Director of Gen2Plank Ltd
"I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT EXTENDED BY THE ARLI TEAM WHICH IS GOING TO HELP PALM LIFE IN DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS" Adil Delwar, CEO of PALM LIFE®
OVER A SIX WEEK PERIOD, ARLI PERFORMED RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL LEATHER FOR USE IN OUR HANDBAG MANUFACTURING. WE RECEIVED PROMPT RESPONSES TO OUR QUESTIONS AND WERE SUPPORTED THROUGH OUT THE PROCESS. WE RECEIVED A DET
"THE SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTION OF ARLI HAS BEEN PIVOTAL FOR THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME. REDUCING WASTE STREAMS AND PROMOTING LOW-CARBON CONSTRUCTION ARE AT THE CENTRE OF WHAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE AND I'M INDEBTED TO THE ARLI TEAM FOR THE
"ARLI ENGAGEMENT HAS PROVEN TO BE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMPANY. ARLI'S TESTING SHOWED TO OUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS THE VALIDITY OF OUR TECHNOLOGY AND IT LED TO A COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH A LEADING UK ENGINEERING HOUSE. THIS PROVED MY TECHNOLOGY
"WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED THROUGH THE ARLI PROJECT. THIS RESEARCH HAS HELPED DEVELOP OUR SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY." Alex Helliwell, Director of Webster and Horsfall
"WE WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE ARLI REPORT CONDUCTED TO EXPLORE BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOSIERY MANUFACTURING. WE ARE NOW PROCEEDING WITH FURTHER RESEARCH WITH THE AMCASH TEAM TO TEST FIBRE CAPABILITIES." Tahlia Gray, Director of Sheer C

ARLI Case Studies

Read about the variety of projects we have undertaken to date (PDF 602KB).

Where is the programme available?

To eligible SMEs in Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP, Black Country LEP, Coventry & Warwickshire LEP areas.

Support in the Marches - CREST

CREST Logo

University of Birmingham’s ARLI and ATETA projects are bringing their expertise to team up with The Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) (also known as the Environmental Science Business Research Centre). This is a partnership between the University of Chester and Reaseheath College.

CREST at University Centre Shrewsbury (a campus of the University of Chester) has secured a second round of ERDF funding until March 2023. The partnership funding will focus on innovation, and Research and Development support for environmental science-based SMEs in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, with the aim of addressing the area’s productivity challenges, and, bringing products and services to market.

CREST offers support to SMEs who want to reduce their environmental impact, or develop new products or services. The multi-disciplinary team of experts works closely with SMEs to design, develop and bring new products and services to market; develop processes to save time and/or money; understand markets (e.g. market research, introduction to buyers and suppliers, exploring new markets) and develop successful business models.

Contact Us

 To contact the Business Engagement team for the ARLI project, please complete the following form:

  • Name

 Alternatively, please email: arli@contacts.bham.ac.uk