The Low Carbon Eco Innovatory (LCEI) grant fund is in its final stages – but there is still time for businesses to apply. The grant fund supports low carbon installations and renewables, helping Liverpool City Region businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. A large amount of grant has already been allocated but there is still some funding available – interested businesses are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible.
The project, a partnership between Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool, initially due to finish March 2025, will now run until March 2026, offering academic research and grant funding to help businesses decarbonise. Due to the nature of the grant process, all funding allocations must be finalised in the coming weeks. The project will continue to work with businesses for research assists.
LCEI is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.
The LCEI Business Grant helps to fund solar panel installations, LED lighting, heat pumps, and specialist energy saving machinery to help businesses decarbonise their processes, reduce costs and create wider economic prosperity in the LCR.
LCEI researchers at LJMU produce bespoke carbon reports, helping businesses make informed decisions and take practical steps to achieve sustainability and clean growth, while UoL student projects can provide more in-depth research.
Strategic Project Manager Lesley Lambert said: “Our team works closely with businesses to assess their needs and support them through the grant process, opening up university resources, increasing levels of eco-innovation and giving SMEs a competitive edge.
“Although our project runs until March 2026, we are in the final stages of grant applications now, with a small amount of funding still to allocate. We’d encourage any businesses interested in greening their operations or furthering their sustainability to get in touch.”
Initially running from October 2023 to March 2025 with £1.63m UKSPF funding, LCEI has already delivered 39 business grants – totalling £593,967, helping to fund 16 solar installations, 10 items of low carbon machinery, five LED lighting projects, four insulation/low carbon heating installs and four EVs. Total carbon savings from these measures is estimated at 774.24 tonnes CO2e. LCEI also provided 108 businesses with research support to help them achieve their sustainability goals.
For more information visit their website here
Snapshot of businesses supported
Innovation Chemicals Ltd
Investment: £8,268 supported by LCEI Grant of £3,445
Project: 52 x 300 litre bulk liquid containers
Carbon savings: 12.42t CO2e per year | 124.15t CO2e over the 10-year lifespan of the equipment
Projected financial saving: Reduced utility bills and cost saving on raw ingredients
Director Carol Longshaw said: “We are incredibly grateful for the funding provided by LCEI. This support has not only made expanding our product range more affordable but also enabled us to scale our operations while prioritising sustainability.”
A.Algeo Ltd
Investment: £30,000 supported by LCEI Grant of £13,000
Project: Replacing outdated AC units with a new, more efficient heating/cooling system
Carbon savings: 1.4t CO2e per year | 21.03t CO2e over the 15-year lifespan of the equipment
Projected financial saving: £1,866 on utility bills per year
Operations Director Neil Smith said: “We found LCEI’s team helpful; providing professional and consultative advice throughout the process.
“The new AC units are in place with the support of the LCEI grant, which will help keep Algeos on our journey towards Net Zero in 2030, having a positive impact on the environment and our community in the future.”
Locker Freight
Investment: £35,604 – 50% funded by LCEI
Project: Replacing diesel forklift truck with electric
Carbon savings: 13.7t CO2e per year | 164.4t CO2e over the 12-year lifespan of the equipment
Projected financial saving: £1,918 on fuel costs per year
Chris Goodfellow, Managing Director of Locker Freight, said: “The electric trucks have not only created a much cleaner working environment for our warehouse team but are also contributing to making the air cleaner in the industrial area where we are located.”
W Whitesides Ltd
Investment: £19,726.8 + VAT supported by 50% LCEI Grant
Project: Installation of solar PV panels
Carbon savings: 2.41t CO2e per year | 55.586t CO2e over the 20-year lifespan of the equipment
Projected financial saving: £2,000 on utility bills per year, payback period of 5.3 years
Director Barry Piggot said: “This marks the beginning of our journey towards a more sustainable future, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of our office building and kickstarting our drive towards a greener tomorrow.”