Scotland’s next-generation circular materials hub

The potential for change is huge. Scotland’s material use, carbon savings and job creation figures reveal not a crisis but a prize; but a chance to reimagine how resources flow, cut emissions at scale and build a stronger economy. The statistics below show the scale of the opportunity our cluster is designed to unlock, and why now is the time to act. 

Scaling the circular economy could support up to 60,000 new jobs in Scotland. 

Circle Economy, 2025

With 98% of materials still coming from virgin sources, Scotland offers an almost untapped market for circular innovation. 

Consumer Scotland, 2024

Scotland can lead a revolutionary reduction in personal material use from 19.3 t towards the sustainable 6–8 t benchmark. Setting a global example.

ScotGov, 2024

We’re already building momentum. Thanks to dedicated spin-outs, enterprising research and industry partnerships, Heriot-Watt is proving how circular innovation can deliver real results. With some support and collaboration, we can amplify that impact dramatically by harnessing policy, investment, and industry knowledge to scale solutions across sectors and communities.

Here are some standout examples of tangible innovation:

• IntelliDigest
  A life-science spin-out from Heriot-Watt academics tackling the pressing issue of food waste — currently only 43% of food is recycled. The company aims to commercialise innovative solutions that significantly reduce GHG emissions contributed by food waste. 

• Horizon Proteins
  A REF2021 impact case study arising from collaborative research between Heriot-Watt University and University of Edinburgh. This project transforms whisky by-products into valuable fish feedstock, exemplifying circular innovation across sectors

• Keynoteq
  Leading entrepreneurial minds at Heriot-Watt have reimagined the humble brick into one composed of over 90% recycled construction and demolition waste. The brick requires less than 5% of the typical carbon emissions during manufacture, and production capacity is scaling rapidly.

Built for collaboration

We’re inviting policymakers, investors, manufacturers and researchers to co-locate, co-invest and co-innovate with us — the people and organisations ready to drive measurable net-zero progress and regional growth.

• Policymakers & economic-development agencies
  Seeking innovation that drives measurable net-zero progress and regional growth.

• Investors & venture funds
  Looking for scalable, impact-driven opportunities in the circular economy.

• Manufacturers & construction organisations
  Eager for access to pilot infrastructure, academic expertise, and low-carbon solutions.

• Research partners
  Wanting to embed interdisciplinary collaboration and commercialisation.

This cluster isn’t just about facilities; it’s about outcomes. By combining world-class research, enterprise support and real-world testing environments, we can move ideas from concept to scale. Together with industry, investors and policymakers, we can build the skills, infrastructure and collaborations that make a net-zero, circular economy achievable.

• Provide physical infrastructure: access to labs, pilot lines, and co-location space

• Support Enterprise & Commercialisation: incubators, spin-out pathways and licensing support

• Develop Talent Pipelines: doctoral programmes, graduate apprenticeships, CPD opportunities

• Drive Research & Innovation: create solutions to key industry challenges in the circular economy, translating academic expertise into practical, scalable impact