Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) is UKCPN’s flagship conference, covering the entire breadth and depth of plastics sustainability. Highlighting the strength of the UK's (and a select few international) activities, all contributing to the reduction of plastics and persistent polymers in our environment.

What is the GRIPS Conference

The history of GRIPS - understanding the complexity of plastics sustainability.

Organised by the UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN) & Innovate UK, GRIPS was originally founded as a virtual conference during the global pandemic in 2020. Nearly 3000 attended this first event and in successive years we have run the event either virtually or physically as the situation merits. Each of the conference sessions is recorded, giving us an in-depth record of the content delivered, and is a valuable resource for those wanting to understand the complexity of the plastics sustainability sector.

GRIPS at Innovate UK’s Materials Research Exchange 2024

As part of Innovate UK’s Materials Research Exchange 2024’s (MRE 2024) ‘Advanced Materials for the Future’ 10 year anniversary, we held a GRIPS Conference. Full of new insights about material research and innovations taking place across the UK.

GRIPS at MRE 2024 partnered with the IOM3 Elastomer Group to cover topics related to elastomers, the effects of persistent polymers in the environment and additives on human health.

GRIPS 2024

Innovate UK’s Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability conference 2024 (GRIPS 2024), delivered this year in partnership with the British Plastics Federation, was a resounding success, bringing some 600 delegates together to hear about the latest research, innovations and initiatives driving plastics sustainability and circularity.

Now in its fourth year, GRIPS 2024 was sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Horners and Plastics Europe and hosted by the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Institute for Sustainable Futures.

Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability 2024

Revisit GRIPS conference sessions

Related News

Industry and academic research leaders unite at global plastics sustainability conference

Posted on May 11, 2023

Back for its 3rd year, the Global Research Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) conference welcomed 1,000 delegates to the Coventry Building Society Arena, with a live stream available for online viewers.

2023’s Best Innovations in Plastics Sustainability to be celebrated at GRIPS

Posted on April 6, 2023

Innovators in plastics sustainability are once again invited to submit their work to be considered for “GRIPS Most Innovative”. The deadline has been extended to 5pm GMT on Friday 14 April.

Sustainable Plastics Live 2023 joins forces with market-leading Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) Conference

Posted on October 24, 2022

Sustainable Plastics Live 2023 and the Innovate UK KTN GRIPS team are partnering to host this event which is the only dedicated plastics sustainability conference in the UK and is taking place on the 10-11 May 2023.

Meet the team

Our team includes expertise in plastics, elastomers, textiles, marine, aquaculture, environmental pollution, medical polymers, composites and citizen engagement and education. We are passionate about making the plastics value chain more sustainable.

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Sally

Beken

UKCPN Founder and Lead

Sally has founded and currently heads up the UK Circular Plastics Network and leads on the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging activity at Innovate UK Business Connect.

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Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability