Latest news with #EULIFEProgramme
South Wales Guardian
22-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
NRW launches scheme to tackle farm plastic pollution
The scheme, launching in south Wales, focuses on farm plastics that often end up in rivers, posing a threat to wildlife and water quality. It is part of the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project and is being delivered in partnership with Agriculture Plastics Environment (APE), Birch Farm Plastics, and Afonydd Cymru. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer for Four Rivers for LIFE, said: "Farm plastics have been found in the Teifi, Tywi and Cleddau rivers and contribute to the overall environmental issues affecting their health. "Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment – they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste." Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle plastics such as silage wrap at reduced cost at drop-off centres located across the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, and Usk river catchments. These rivers are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) due to their international importance for species including salmon, lamprey, shad, and otters. Drop-off centres will be available at livestock markets and other sites in Talsarn near Lampeter, Crymych, Llandovery, Sennybridge, Raglan, and potentially Carmarthen. Ian Creasey of APE said: "Learning from successful markets in Europe, 'drop off centres' significantly help farmers in recycling their used farm plastics, and is a key focus of this trial. "This scheme is dedicated to supporting farmers to recycle their agricultural plastics, and by so doing help protect these rivers from potential plastics pollution." A 2023 report by WRAP found that the UK's agricultural plastic recycling rate is just 20 to 30 per cent, far lower than Germany (65 per cent), France (80 per cent), and Ireland (90 per cent). A survey conducted by West Wales Rivers Trust in 2024 revealed that cost remains one of the main barriers preventing farmers from recycling silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch of Birch Farm Plastics said: "While we continue to collect directly from farms throughout Wales, by increasing the number of drop-off centres, we aim to increase the recycling rates of agricultural polythene and, through the collaboration with Four Rivers for LIFE and APE, provide a lower-cost option to farmers using the service." The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from the Welsh Government and Welsh Water. Details of eligible materials and drop-off locations are available at the Four Rivers for LIFE website.
South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
River Usk project to aid salmon migration begins next week
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will begin construction next week on a new fish passage at Brecon Weir on the River Usk, designed to support the migration of young salmon. The project is part of the Four Rivers for LIFE Project, which focuses on improving river habitats for declining species. Leila Thornton from the Four Rivers for LIFE Project said: "This scheme has been years in the planning and we are delighted to be finally starting these works and thank everyone who's been involved so far. "This work will significantly improve access for declining populations of fish including the endangered Atlantic salmon and will hopefully be a step towards the recovery of the species." Brecon Weir currently poses a major barrier for young salmon, known as smolts, as they migrate downstream to the sea. A new smolt pass will be installed to address this issue by helping the fish move safely past the weir. Fish tracking studies have shown that the weir can delay migration during periods of low flow, increasing the risk of disease and predation. The improved structure will feature a u-shaped notch, a bell mouth entrance, and an approach ramp to aid fish movement. Construction, led by contractor Midwest Plant, is expected to take around three months, depending on weather and river conditions. The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with additional support from the Welsh Government and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Finnish Fiberwood Secures €3.1M EU Grant to Scale Carbon-Storing Building Materials
JÄRVENPÄÄ, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Finnish deep tech startup Fiberwood Ltd has secured €3.1 million in funding from the EU LIFE Programme to reduce buildings' carbon footprints. The company will use the grant to scale up its sustainable insulation solutions made from wood industry side streams and accelerate its entry into broader European markets. 'We believe forests deserve smarter use,' says CEO Tage Johansson. 'We're turning side streams into something more valuable." Share By refining underutilised materials such as mechanical wood residues and recycled wood into high-performance components, Fiberwood adds value to the forest industry and promotes circular use of timber. Its plastic-free, recyclable fibre boards can replace fossil-based insulation in construction and support the EU's transition to low-emission building practices. Tackling a Global Challenge in Construction The construction sector accounts for 42% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the EU, most insulation materials are still fossil-based, and over 98% end up in landfills or the environment. While demand for greener alternatives is rising, many bio-based options fall short of technical requirements. Fiberwood aims to bridge that gap. Founded in 2019, the company has developed a patented technology to produce recyclable and compostable boards with thermal performance, structural durability, fire safety, moisture resistance, and material longevity. This rare combination opens new possibilities for sustainable design. 'We believe forests deserve smarter use,' says CEO Tage Johansson. 'We're turning side streams into high-performance materials that meet real construction needs while reducing environmental impact.' Backed by the EU to Accelerate Market Readiness Fiberwood is building a demo production line in Järvenpää, southern Finland, to enable deliveries for customers' pilot projects. The €3.1M EU LIFE grant supports production optimisation, new side-stream validation, and final performance testing, resulting in a blueprint for Fiberwood's first industrial-scale factory. The company's B2B customers include leading building materials companies in Nordic and European markets. They will integrate the fibre components into their existing products and sell them under their own brands. 'This is a turning point,' Johansson says. 'Our material allows customers to make a sustainable leap without changing how they design or sell their products, giving them a competitive edge with minimal disruption.' Before securing LIFE funding, Fiberwood had raised €10.7 million from investors such as Metsä Spring, Stephen Industries, and public innovation funds. The company is preparing for international growth and seeking partners across the European construction value chain. About Fiberwood Fiberwood is a Finnish deep tech company refining wood industry side streams into sustainable, high-performance building and packaging materials. Its customised fibre components reduce buildings' carbon footprints and support the shift to fossil-free construction. Founded in 2019, Fiberwood serves B2B customers across the Nordic and European building materials sector and is ramping up its first demo production line for pilot projects. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
