L Marks and University of Leeds Launch Programme with Nufarm to Identify Industrial Wastewater Solutions

London, UK, 19 January 2026 – L Marks, in partnership with Nufarm and the University of Leeds, and supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through UK Government funding, has opened applications for a demonstrator pilot programme focused on identifying and progressing deployable technologies capable of reducing toxic, high-salinity chemical effluent at industrial scale.

This pilot will test and validate a new delivery model for industrial-academic collaboration, with the framework designed for replication across other sectors and industrial challenges.

The programme is delivered through Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation community, and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, a world-leading climate centre based at the University of Leeds. The initiative focuses on solutions that are ready for testing, integration, and progression towards commercial deployment.

Three priority technology areas have been identified:

• Persistent Organics Destruction – Technologies that break down chlorinated organics and high-COD compounds through oxidation, electrochemical processes, hybrid systems, and other destruction approaches beyond separation or dilution.
• Volume, Salts, and Acid Load Reduction – Solutions that reduce tanker movements by concentrating, recovering, or treating acids and salts, including membrane technologies, brine management systems, acid recovery, and low-energy concentration systems.
• At-Source Treatment Systems – Compact or modular systems capable of treating high-impact streams before dilution, operating reliably under variable industrial conditions.

“Industrial wastewater challenges often sit between proven science and operational reality. The programme has been structured to close that gap, combining regional academic insight with wider UK and global solution scouting, and a delivery framework designed around implementation.”
Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks

Selected companies will engage directly with Nufarm’s senior decision-makers through a structured process that includes practical implementation pathway design, covering technical integration, scalability, and commercial viability.
Participants will receive direct feedback on feasibility and will benefit from structured support from L Marks, Nexus, and the Priestley Centre.

The programme explicitly targets technologies beyond the research phase, seeking solutions that can be tested and progressed towards commercial deployment within industrial timeframes.

Applications close on 26 January 2026.
For further information, contact robert@lmarks.com.
Companies can apply here.