Dr Barlow, a materials engineering specialist, carries out research on the sustainability aspects of various resources.

Manufacturing firms will be given a helping hand to 'go green' thanks to a series of events at the IfM.

The IfM is looking at ways in which industry can become more sustainable by taking immediate steps using existing expertise and technologies to reduce waste and energy use.

It follows the publication last year of the report Towards a Sustainable Industrial System, which advocated a systems-level view of sustainability in industry.

One of the first events of this year will see the IfM's Dr Claire Barlow showing companies how they can look at their resource usage in a new way.

Dr Barlow, a materials engineering specialist, carries out research on the sustainability aspects of various resources.

In a talk called 'Cut waste, boost revenue', part of the IfM's Manufacturing Thursday series, she will tell firms they could save money by doing more to reduce energy usage and to avoid landfill waste. She will detail a number of real-life examples and look at how these could be implemented in other firms.

The IfM is already working with industry at company, sector and national levels to drive forward the sustainability message.

Researchers at the IfM are working with government agencies to help to deliver a green strategy for the UK food industry, the UK"s biggest manufacturing sector. It is also involved in a number of university collaborations such as working with the Chemical Engineering Department to help a major manufacturer with its sustainability initiatives and energy reduction programmes and pinch point analysis

Dr Barlow's talk will be followed by the visit of eminent scientist Professor Karl-Henrik Robèrt, founder of the internationally renowned NGO, The Natural Step.

Professor Robèrt, who contributed to the IfM's industrial system report will be delivering a lecture at the IfM on February 16th.