One of the requirements of "green" manufacturing is that processes be biodegradable.
To be considered "green," the manufacturing process must use materials that are biodegradable, renewable and recyclable and processes should be non-polluting and energy conscious, according to Dr. John Patten, chair of Western Michigan University's Department of Manufacturing Engineering and long-time proponent of green practices. As business, government and consumers have begun to see the economic soundness of green manufacturing, more funding opportunities have arisen, including grants for starting a green manufacturing business. Some of the best opportunities for startups are in innovation, research and new technologies.
Department of Energy
Innovation in reflective roof paint reduces heat load and, thus, energy costs.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is one of several large government agencies that administers Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. The SBIR and STTR are research and development (R&D) grant programs awarded to small businesses only. Winning small businesses retain rights to any technology developed and can commercialize it. The DOE issues invitations to apply for awards every year, usually in October. Applicants must apply based on topics the DOE deems important to its needs. Recent awards have included development of a new highly reflective roof paint that reduces heating load and a new air conditioning system that operates on heat from the sun.
Environmental Protection Agency
Much of the EPA's current grant funding is focused on sustainable approaches to drinking water.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has an SBIR program that supports small businesses, with 500 or fewer employees, to develop and commercialize new environmental technologies. Winning Phase I awardees receive $80,000 for six months to develop "proof of concept" for the proposed technology. Further development and commercialization is available to successful Phase I businesses through Phase II awards of up to $300,000 for two years. Phase II grant winners can gain supplement funding of up to $70,000 by obtaining qualifying third-party investments. Some of the topics the EPA is interested in include sustainable approaches for drinking water, green chemistry and biofuels.
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
The State of Illinois is awarding grants of $250,000 to $5,000,000 for "new, expanded or retooled manufacturing of renewable energy and energy efficiency components manufacturers, producers of dedicated biomass crops, and the manufacturers of recycled content products." The funds were made available as part of the federal stimulus package and administered through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Grants are available to private business, public entities or nonprofits up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. Applicants must fund at least 25 percent of the project internally or through investors but may not use funds from public incentive programs. A primary goal is the creation of numerous jobs.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides funding through SBIRs, along with several other grants, for research in all types of science and engineering programs. NSF provides grants, contracts and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States. Slightly more than 25 percent of all proposals received by NSF are funded and can range from $150,000 into the millions. Typical SBIR/STTR proposal requests are in biotech and chemical technologies, education applications, information and communication technologies, nanotechnology, advanced materials and manufacturing.
