NNFCC contributing to Government bioeconomy report

NNFCC has been commissioned by the Government to provide an analysis of the current availability and status of industrial biotechnology-relevant processing plants within the UK.

The Government published a report last week outlining the “enormous opportunity” to grow the bioeconomy in the UK. The report ‘Building a high value bioeconomy: Opportunities from Waste’, details the basis for the growth of the bioeconomy and presents the Government’s vision and mission for the sector by 2030.

The report agreed with the conclusions of last year’s study from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee ‘Waste or resource? Stimulating a Bioeconomy’, which estimated that around 25 million tonnes of available waste in the UK could be converted into roughly 5 million tonnes of bioethanol. This amount of bioethanol could have a potentially material impact on fuel supply, with a value of approximately £2.4 billion.

In order to achieve maximum growth in the sector, the report says that access to specialist waste processing plants is “a critical piece of the ecosystem” in order to ensure that the UK doesn’t miss opportunities to “maximise the value from locally generated ideas and feedstocks.”

NNFCC to provide key research

NNFCC and Inspire Biotech are analysing the current availability and status of the UK’s industrial biotechnology-relevant processing plants and equipment. This research will identify options for future capital investments to prevent this being a barrier to growth.

David Turley, NNFCC’s lead consultant for biobased feedstocks, said: “The piloting of novel industrial processes comes with large capital expenses which can act as a significant barrier to technology development, particularly for SMEs. The ability to access open, flexible pilot facilities serves an important role in reducing both the costs and risks associated with development of process scale up capabilities.”

He added: “NNFCC and Inspire Biotech are reviewing the UK situation regarding open access facilities, looking for gaps in capabilities and will recommend steps to improve the provision of equipment and services in identified areas of need to help support innovation.”

For further information, contact David Turley on +44 (0)1904 435182 or email d.turley@nnfcc.co.uk