Panelists Needed to Judge EPA Awards on Greener Manufacturing and Plastics

October 13, 2016

Qualified experts are needed to serve on a virtual peer review panel that will evaluate research proposals for “the development and commercialization of innovative environmental technologies” under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2016 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Program. EPA is seeking qualified individuals with technical expertise, and especially relevant commercialization experience, related to the following topics:

  • “Topic Code 2A: Greener Manufacturing of Plastics. Develop for a specific plastic or family of plastics that has significant negative public health and environmental impacts an improved manufacturing process that (a) eliminates the use of one or more toxic chemicals in the process, (b) greatly reduces the amount of energy used to carry out the process, and/or (c) eliminates one or more toxic pollutants that currently result from the process. Comparison with the currently used manufacturing process and assessing the overall life cycle of the plastic(s) are integral to this topic.
  • Topic Code 2B: Greener Plastic Materials and Products. Develop for a specific plastic or family of plastics that has significant negative public health and environmental impacts alternative materials and products that (a) do not emit toxic fumes, (b) are not toxic if ingested, (c) rapidly biodegrade in soil and water, and/or (d) are easily recycled and reused. Comparison with the performance and cost of the currently-used plastic materials and products and assessing their overall life cycle are integral to this topic.”

A third topic is “Cleaner Manufacturing Processes for Dyes, Paints, and Inks.” The program is part of EPA’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) research program. Reviewers must commit to a two-day virtual Panel Meeting (no travel required) in February 2017, and be able to confirm they do not have a conflict of interest.

For interested businesses that have not yet submitted an application for the award, October 20 is the closing date (see Solicitation; Reference Number SOL-NC-16-00038). Phase 1 awards of up to $100,000 are available to small business able to demonstrate proof of concept in areas such as manufacturing, toxic chemicals, water and greener buildings. Those companies are then eligible to apply for Phase II funding to advance and commercialize their technologies. Applications must be submitted electronically through FedConnect; general information is here and frequently asked questions are here. 

For more information, please contact Marie Gargas.

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Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.

"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. "Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."

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