NatWest has pledged its backing to a revolutionary materials manufacturer that launched during COP26 in November.
Incredible Husk, based in Grantham in Lincolnshire, manufacturers a sustainable material from the husk of food products that works as an alternative to plastic, leather, cardboard and other environmentally harmful and unsustainable materials.
Led by CEO Keith Ridgeway, Incredible Husk’s team of scientists and experts have devised a process that uses rice, nuts and coffee husks to create a carbon-negative alternative that could help transform the country’s waste. The idea has already attracted interest from several household names.
The business was awarded Gold and Silver respectively for ‘Environmental Development’ and ‘Environmental Sustainability’ at the Green World Awards, which aim to find the world’s greenest countries, companies and communities. The business was also appointed Green World Ambassadors during the London-based ceremony on 15 November 2021.
NatWest’s support for the manufacturer follows the launch of the bank’s ‘Springboard to Sustainability’ report, which found that UK’s six million SMEs could help achieve 50% of the UK’s net-zero decarbonisation goals.
It also found that SMEs could create up to 130,000 new jobs, produce around 30,000 new businesses resulting in an estimated £160 billion opportunity for the UK economy.
Keith Ridgeway, CEO of Incredible Husk, said: “We have huge ambitions for a start-up company and want to target the leaders in every industry to help them make the transition to decarbonisation and inspire others in their sector to do the same.
“Our product is revolutionary, and we believe we have the potential to decarbonize entire sectors by 2035. However, we also understand the importance of rolling out these vital sustainable practices without disrupting entire supply chains, so the process needs to be gradual and well-thought-out.
“It’s fantastic to have received support from NatWest to help us fulfil our ambitions and deliver our plans. The bank is leading the way in terms of empowering and enabling sustainable SMEs and it’s great to work with a company that shares our vision for a greener future. The collaboration is truly authentic to our values.”
Amber Launder, local enterprise manager at NatWest, said: “Climate change is the biggest single issue facing humanity today, threatening lives and livelihoods across all spheres of society. NatWest’s ambition is to be a leading bank in helping to address climate change, primarily through the support we provide to our customers and bringing stakeholders together.
“Keith and his team truly deserve to be celebrated for their efforts in driving forward plans for decarbonisation internationally and across industries. It’s great they’ve been recognised so publicly through the World Green Awards and NatWest is happy to play a part in their next chapter – I look forward to seeing what’s next for them.”
