You already know that a briquette machine generates value from waste. A value that can be monetised as an additional revenue stream or utilised to offset energy bills if you use briquettes as a solid fuel to heat your place.
But what if, on top of that, you get a grant (or other type of funding) to pay for the initial purchase? Wouldn’t that set you up for success almost no matter what?
Below are some options you can explore for different markets:
🇬🇧
| Grant / Scheme | Relevance to briquette machine | Link |
|---|---|---|
| North Northamptonshire – Powering Change | Energy-efficient machinery support | https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/grants/powering-change-energy-efficiency-grants-businesses (northnorthants.gov.uk) |
| Fenland Rural England Prosperity Fund (Capital Grants) | Capital equipment purchase | https://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/18549/Fenland-businesses-reminded-to-bid-for-grants-of-up-to-25-000 (Fenland District Council) |
| Rutland Rural Enterprise Capital Grant | Capital equipment (SMEs) | https://www.rutland.gov.uk/council-news/2025/06/ps100k-funding-now-available-through-launch-rural-enterprise-capital-grant-scheme (Rutland County Council) |
| Broxtowe Business Energy Grant | Purchase of equipment for decarbonisation | https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/media/0zeaymso/ukspf-business-energy-grant-2024-guidance-and-faq-003-updated.pdf (broxtowe.gov.uk) |
| East of England – Suffolk/Norfolk Grants | Equipment/machinery for SME growth | See local councils via Growth Hub (tcdenergy.com) |
| Manchester Energy Efficiency Grants | Up to £5,000 for efficiency/production equipment | https://www.greeneconomy.co.uk/business-support/decarbonise/grants/ (Green Economy) |
| York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme | Larger sustainability grants | (via local authority programmes) (utilitytrade.com) |
UKRI / Innovation Competitions (biomass processing)
Some UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) calls fund demonstration and deployment for biomass processing technologies. These are often project-based and may cover capital equipment if justified in the proposal. For example, biomass production and utilisation hubs. ukri.org
🔗 More info: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/green-era-hub-biomass-production-and-utilisation-pre-proposal/ukri.org
🧠 Bonus tip:
Many Combined Authority or Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) programmes offer Green / Business Growth grants — these often accept applications for capital equipment purchases if you clearly explain how the equipment (like a briquette machine) will drive business growth, sustainability or carbon reduction. Examples include:
- Manchester Energy Efficiency Grants up to £5,000 (for process/production equipment). Green Economy
- York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme with larger grants up to about £49,950 for business sustainability projects. utilitytrade.com
How to find and check eligibility
🔍 GOV.UK Capital Grant Finder: Search hundreds of capital items and funding schemes that could include equipment like briquette machines. GOV.UK
👉 https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder
🧭 Local Council & Combined Authority Business Support Pages:
Your local council economic growth, growth hub, or combined authority pages list current application windows and criteria — often better for real-time grant discovery.
🇺🇸 U.S. Funding Options that Can Support Briquette Machine Purchases
These programmes can include equipment purchase as eligible costs (i.e., renewable energy systems or manufacturing/processing equipment).
1) USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
What it funds: Grants (and loans) to support renewable energy systems, energy efficiency projects, and equipment purchase/installation for agricultural producers and rural small businesses — including biomass/solid fuels systems. Rural Development+1
✔️ Relevance: Eligible renewable energy systems include biomass and solid fuels — which could cover briquette machines if part of a biomass system. Rural Development
✔️ Funding: Grants up to 50% of total project costs, sometimes up to ~$1M for renewable energy systems; loan/guarantee combos up to 75%. ruralhealthinfo.org
✔️ Who can apply: Rural small businesses and agricultural producers. Rural Development
🔗 More info: https://rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-program-reap
2) USDA Wood Innovations Program (including Community Wood Grants)
What it funds: Federal grants for projects expanding wood products markets, wood energy systems, and equipment purchase/installation in wood manufacturing/processing facilities. US Forest Service
✔️ Relevance: Projects have funded equipment upgrades and installations in wood/biomass contexts — e.g., pellet mill expansions, biomass utilisation improvements. US Forest Service
✔️ Briquette relevance: A briquette machine may qualify if it’s part of a wood products or biomass processing facility. US Forest Service
🔗 More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation/grants
3) USDA Community Wood Energy Grants (part of Forest Service grants)
What it funds: Grants supporting community wood energy installations and wood product manufacturing. USDA
✔️ Relevance: Although focused on larger systems, equipment purchase for processing wood residuals could be eligible. USDA
🔗 More info: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2023/01/31/usda-forest-service-accepting-grant-applications-wood-innovations-projects-community-wood-energy
4) State / Local USDA Pass-Through Grants (USA, varies by state)
Many state departments of agriculture / rural development administer USDA-pass-through funds (like REAP or wood grants) that can fund equipment purchase. Eligibility varies by state, and often includes renewable energy systems and processing equipment.
🔗 Search & apply: https://www.grants.gov
(search “Rural Energy for America Program”, “wood innovation”, “biomass”, “renewable energy systems”)
5) U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Equipment Funding (R&D/tech)
Some DOE programmes include capital funding for demonstration or deployment of bioenergy technologies (e.g., biomass feedstocks, biofuel production). These can sometimes be used for equipment purchase if tied to broader innovation or pilot deployment. ukri.org
🔗 More info: https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/financial-opportunities (check current solicitations)
Grants and other funding options sometimes come and go fast and it is not just about acting quickly. It is also about timing. Starting soon and being in the know for longer will give you the best chance to secure the optimal option for your specific situation and needs.
We’re thrilled to announce such an opportunity:
Including access to various tools, personalised searches and a funding database with over 1,000 sources of funding from government grants, loans, tax breaks as well as private investors.
