Novel solutions for disinfecting operational areas of a manufacturing unit

The Challenge Holder currently uses Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) across the site and throughout the production process to ensure their equipment and environments are disinfected for their finished products and raw materials. Without thoroughly clean conditions, their products could fail microbiology tests leading to them being withdrawn.

The undiluted Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is stored in 25kg drums onsite. From here, the solution is added to small handheld dispensers where it is sprayed onto surfaces and equipment. The IPA is administered after each batch of products is produced.

LUSH have explored using wipes to administer the IPA to their equipment but have decided against this method due to the increased application time and waste created. They have trialled Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) which is commercially available, but these have not met the standards required. In their manufacturing unit in Poole, LUSH currently use 750kgs of IPA per month.

LUSH cosmetics would like to find alternative ways of disinfecting the process equipment used in the manufacture of their products. They currently use Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) which is widely used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors but are keen to find solutions which could offer a similar efficacy to Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) but less flammable and less potential harm to the environment. Any solution needs to be within the bounds of their ethical standards and policies which can be found on the LUSH website.

LUSH Cosmetics are open to novel methods of disinfecting the process equipment in their manufacturing units in Poole. This could include (but is not limited to):

• Sound
• Heat
• Chemicals

The solution must not impact the current day-to-day running of operations. The challenge holder seeks solutions which are at TRL 6+ / deployable for field tests within 1 year of competition / commercially deployable within 2 years.

The solution must/should:

• Be compatible with the following materials: stainless steel, household plastics, nitrile gloves & silicone spatulas.
• Be a low hazard to operatives when dispensing and applying throughout the manufacturing unit.
• Not leave any residue that could in any way contaminate products.
• Not increase the current electrical demand of the manufacturing unit (40kW/200kW maximum capacity) due to a constrained network.
• Have equal or better efficacy as a measurable kill rate to IPA: e.g. against surface bacteria.
• Not take longer to administer than IPA.
• Not involve high maintenance and running costs.
• Not interfere with the day-to-day operations, e.g. not result in manufacturing downtime.
• Adhere to LUSH’s health and safety regulations.

The solution must/should not:

• The solution (or any of its ingredients) must NOT have been tested on animals or made from animal products.
• The challenge holder has already trialled PPA and would not be interested in this product.
• The solution should not include genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the final product.
• Anything which increases the physical waste on the site, e.g. wipes, will not be considered.

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to LUSH. Selected solutions will be trialled by LUSH with potential for further adoption globally if trials are successful.

The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:

• Support from Innovate UK Business Connect.
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot.
• Technical support.
• Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events.
• A potential business collaboration.
• Investor introductions (if investment is required).
• Support if any Innovate or similar competitions are relevant.

Launch of the Competition: 19 May 2025

Deadline for applications: 27 June 2025

Selection and notification of finalists: 18 July 2025

Date of Pitch Day: Week commencing 4 August 2025

Entrants to this competition must be:

• Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs.
• UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base.

Applications will be assessed on:

• Relevance to the defined challenge.
• Benefit of implementation.
• Feasibility/economic viability.
• Innovative nature.
• Ability to launch in line with expected timescales.
• Credibility of applicant company.
• Coherence of the proposed business model.
• Development potential.
• Maturity of the solution.
• Suitability for the intended geographic market.
• Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s).

Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. Any commercial deployment of a transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership, or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.

Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect do not take any share of IP ownership or enter commercial ventures through the iX programme. A selected panel of assessors will review and score your application. The panel of assessors will meet and agree a consensus score. Successful solutions will be selected by the Challenge holder. Success will be based upon total consensus scores, a portfolio approach and capacity within the challenge holders to carry out the projects.

The application form for this challenge will require applicants to provide company information and answer 3 questions – Idea Summary, Technology Readiness, and Intellectual Property – each with a limit of 300 words. Optionally, supporting documents can be attached to the application. We recommend that supporting documents are limited to those which are directly relevant to the application. Please note that applications with no supporting document will not receive any penalty in assessment. Supporting documents which the Assessment Panel deems to be superfluous may be disregarded. Examples of useful additional documents include product images or short specification sheets, slide decks detailing the solution and/or company background, or solution case studies.

We recommend that you complete the application form in Google Chrome as other browsers may have compatibility issues. The application form does not need to be completed in one session and can be saved for future edits. Please ensure that you toggle “Stage Complete” for each section before submission. Note that you will no longer be able to edit your application once you have clicked “Submit Idea” at the bottom of the Summary page.