Tarmac is inviting submissions to its fourth annual Innovation Challenge to support the acceleration of its journey to net zero.

For this year's challenge, entrants are being encouraged to submit ideas on circularity - focusing on new technologies, innovations and solutions which are, or have the potential to be, ready for integration, to further drive the business’ circular economy ambitions.

The winning entry will then be brought to life in partnership with Tarmac, as it builds on significant progress in embedding sustainability across all of its operations, delivering emissions reductions and maximising the reuse of materials.

The challenge is open to existing and new suppliers, university teams and any organisations or individuals with an idea.

Jonathan Harry, Tarmac’s procurement director, said: “The creativity, passion, and potential we have seen over the past three years of running the Innovation Challenge has been outstanding and we’re excited to be running the challenge once again this year.

“We’re looking to our network for breakthrough technologies which could improve our adoption of circular economy principles across the business, transforming the way we operate. We’d encourage anyone with an idea – however big or small – to get involved.”

Since launching the first innovation challenge in 2019 Tarmac has brought forward a range of ideas in partnership with suppliers, from reduced plastic packaging through to vehicles like the UK’s first all-electric concrete mixer and totally new-to-market innovations.

The company is committed to supporting the delivery of a lower carbon built environment and has set out ambitious goals to achieve by 2030 and beyond in its ACT Sustainability Strategy.

Responses to the Innovation Challenge can be submitted online by November 17.

Finalists will be reviewed by a panel of internal subject matter experts – with the winner unveiled during Tarmac’s Supplier Sustainability Week, which commences on November 27.

Click here to submit ideas to the 2023 Innovation Challenge.