Member Article

Teesside University experts to help regional businesses

Experts at Teesside University are spearheading a £2million project to help over 150 regional businesses improve their resource efficiencies.

The project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will see the implementation of an innovative new awards scheme.

Resource Efficiency Pathways to Sustainable Growth, or REPS for short, will draw on the considerable expertise within Teesside University’s School of Science & Engineering and will provide a wide range of specialist consultancy and support to regional SMEs.

It aims to provide support to 156 companies over three years and will lead to improvements in efficiency, sustainability, cost savings and a reduction in carbon production.

The REPS project offers a programme of activities, including a bronze, silver and gold awards scheme to encourage businesses to review their operational and environmental position. It will also include Industrial Symbiosis opportunities which will bring together knowledge and best practice in support of SMEs wishing to take advantage of Teesside University’s considerable expertise in this area.

The environmental activities are designed to act as a catalyst for businesses to implement change and improve their sustainability and growth going forward.

Garry Evans, REPS Project Manager, said: “Teesside University has a dedicated approach to its environmental and resource efficiency responsibilities so we are delighted that this project has been approved. It will draw on the considerable experience of the CLEMANCE and Teesside Manufacturing Centre teams.

“There is a wealth of experience at the University and we plan to use all the knowledge and expertise in a positive way to deliver a tangible impact to regional SMEs.”

The REPS project represents over £2million of investment, £1million of which is through the European Regional Development Fund with match funding from the University.

Councillor Neil Foster, Deputy Chair of the North East England Local Management Committee (LMC) which engages partners in the overseeing of the strategic delivery of the ERDF Programme in the North East, said: “Resource Efficiency Pathway to Sustainable Growth will offer a distinct and varied service that will help businesses implement changes to improve and enhance their sustainability and growth.

“It is fantastic news that ERDF investment in this project will provide support to SMEs which will help them improve their environmental performance and grow, contributing to a stronger local economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Teesside University .