Ail Arian, a South Wales–based sustainable technology company, is scaling up its recyclable silver conductive ink, a breakthrough innovation set to transform how electronic materials are made and reused, with support from Innovate UK’s ICURe programme and the Welsh Government.
Silver conductive ink is used in countless products we rely on every day, from touch screens and medical sensors to solar panels and smart packaging. But the traditional inks are not sustainable: the silver they contain is rarely recovered, often ending up in landfill or contaminated waste. Ail Arian is changing that by creating a recyclable alternative that performs just as well while dramatically cutting CO₂ emissions and production costs.
Founded by Dr James Claypole, Ail Arian’s mission is to make electronic manufacturing more circular, sustainable, and resource-efficient, enabling valuable materials like silver to be recovered and reused.
“We’re incredibly proud to have the support of Innovate UK and the Welsh Government said Hannah Claypole, Marketing & Sustainability Officer. Their backing allows us to move from proven research to real-world application, showing that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.”
Ail Arian is now working with manufacturing partners to integrate its recyclable ink into existing production lines with minimal design changes, helping the electronics industry transition smoothly to greener, circular manufacturing practices.
“Our goal is to make sustainability easy to adopt,” said James Claypole, CEO and Founder of Ail Arian. “By designing materials that perform like-for-like with conventional inks, we can help manufacturers reduce waste, costs, and emissions without disrupting existing processes.”
As the company scales up its technology, Ail Arian is preparing to raise its next round of funding through Crowdcube, opening investment opportunities to individuals who want to support the shift toward more sustainable electronics.
Alongside its R&D work, Ail Arian runs an outreach programme across Welsh schools, teaching children about recycling electronic materials and inspiring the next generation of innovators to think sustainably.
This collaboration with Innovate UK and the Welsh Government highlights South Wales’ growing role as a hub for green technology and advanced manufacturing, aligning with national ambitions for a low-carbon, circular economy.