Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme

University of Northampton

Raw potential: How Africa is recasting industrial power beyond plastics

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The future of Africa’s industrialisation may not lie in silicon chips or machine learning but in sustainable natural materials and regional cooperation. Across East and West Africa, governments are moving beyond extractive models and towards policies that fuse environmental resilience with industrial renewal. In Ghana, a national policy blueprint is steering the country’s economy towards […]

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Innovation beyond high-tech: Traceability for resilience and fair trade in the Global South

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As commodity‑reliant economies face growing demand for environmental and labour accountability, SMEs are combining traditional practices with adapted traceability solutions that fit local realities, helping them meet global trade rules, strengthen market access and protect livelihoods. At a tannery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian and Indian project researchers are testing enzyme-based methods to replace harmful chemicals

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What we have learnt: Understanding traceability and due diligence in the leather supply chain

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The global leather industry—valued at over USD 400 billion—supports millions of livelihoods, especially in South Asia and Africa. Yet, despite its economic significance, the industry faces critical challenges regarding environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing, and global compliance with evolving regulations. As climate-conscious regulations tighten, particularly in Europe, the sector faces a critical juncture. Countries like Pakistan

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Rethinking Leather Production: A four-part SMEP series on Sustainable Leather Production

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“There once was a king who ruled a wealthy country. One day, he decided to visit every corner of his kingdom. After returning to his palace, he complained about the pain in his feet from the rocky roads. Frustrated, he ordered his men to cover all the roads in his country with soft leather. This,

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Addressing potentials for Organic Waste in the Circular Economy

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Our technical delivery partner, UNCTAD, will be hosting a side-event to the World Circular Economy Forum 2025!   Opportunities for embedding the bio-economy into national circular economy plans 🗓 Date: 12 May 2025🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT -3⌛Duration: 3 hours📍 Venue: In person at Sala da Congregação, FEA-USP, São Paulo, Brazil, or join online. Registration Here Registration is mandatory

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SMEP-funded Fresh Produce Impact Hub successfully launched its Policy Blueprint: Moving Ghana Beyond Plastics

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On 10 April 2025 in Accra, Republic of Ghana, the SMEP-funded Fresh Produce Impact Hub (FreshPPact) successfully launched its latest report: Moving Ghana Beyond Plastics: A Policy Blueprint for a Thriving Plastic Substitutes and Alternatives Industry. The Policy Blueprint report is aimed at facilitating the transition to plastic alternatives and reducing plastic packaging. This report

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Understanding Traceability and Due Diligence in the Leather Supply Chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh 

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Join us for a webinar on leather supply chain traceability!   Understanding Traceability and Due Diligence in the Leather Supply Chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh  🗓 Date: 16 April 2025🕒 Time: 2:00 PM UTC+5 | 11:00 AM CEST | 11:00 AM SAST⌛Duration: 1.5 hours📍 Venue: Online (Zoom) Register here Background The leather industry plays a

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