What do you think of when you hear the word innovation? A shiny new technology? A clever app? A robot doing something fancy? In some cases, that's true, but for the foundational industries innovation often takes the shape of a new material formulation or a new conversion process; innovation is not always visible, but it has a big impact. That impact needs to be measurable, scalable, and game-changing to support the journey to net zero.

When taking over as Co-Directors of FISC, Lucy and I made "Impactful Innovation" one of our three core values, aiming to challenge the status quo and find bold, industrially focused solutions that actually move the needle on sustainability.

Why "Business as Usual" Isn't Good Enough

Let's face it, installing LED lighting isn't going to cut it anymore. The foundational industries (think steel, cement, glass, chemicals) are the backbone of our economy, but they're also some of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. If we want to hit net zero targets and build a truly sustainable future, we need more than small wins. We need disruptive innovation that makes big strides forward across supply chains rather than small incremental steps. Things to consider include:
•A systems approach: Stepping back and rethinking how we produce, how we consume, and how we design systems from the ground up. It's not about doing things slightly better, it's about doing things completely differently and considering the value of all materials throughout a product's lifecycle.{/bullet">
•Scalability: FISC's raison d'êtra is to accelerate the commercialisation of innovation, but that innovation must be scalable and designed with industrial adoption in mind from the very beginning. That means considering integration into industrial ecosystems, supply chains, and infrastructure.{/bullet">
•Measurable impact: The innovation that reaches commercialisation must genuinely move the needle towards net zero. Whether it's reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, or improving circularity, the outcomes must be quantifiable and transparent. This kind of accountability is what separates genuine innovation from greenwashing. It also helps build trust, attract investment, and drive continuous improvement.{/bullet">

So, how do we support scalable, impactful innovation that considers the system as a whole? We involve the entire supply chain, from the manufacturers, through to the end users, and recyclers, we include the policymakers who can enable innovation, and we include the investors who can financially support the journey.

This approach demands collaboration across disciplines and sectors. It means engaging engineers, data scientists, policymakers, and financiers to co-create solutions that are not only technically viable but economically and socially sustainable.

A Call to Action: Innovate with Purpose

FISC's value of Impactful Innovation is more than a guiding principle, it's a call to action. It invites industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to think outside of the box, challenge convention, take calculated risks, and collaborate meaningfully and with people who think differently. It challenges us to move beyond the familiar and embrace the transformative.

The future of a sustainable foundational industry will not be built on yesterday's ideas. It will be forged by those willing to disrupt, scale, and measure. And in doing so, they will not only reshape industries, they will redefine what progress looks like. FISC can be that sounding board, convening partner, and allow de-risked demonstration in a safe environment to give you the confidence to adopt.

Published: 05-12-2025