UKRI funding aims to enhance UK sustainable biomanufacturing

The joint investment by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK will support 34 feasibility studies across the UK.

It will also support academics and businesses to embark on new collaborations that will further advance research, innovation and commercialisation in UK sustainable biomanufacturing.

"Biomanufacturing offers a wealth of opportunity, both for the UK and on a global scale," said Ruth Nottingham, Head of Business Engagement and Intelligence at BBSRC. "The 34 feasibility awards being funded will help expand the research and innovation capability in biomanufacturing across the breath of the UK.

"This latest investment by UKRI partners provides businesses and academic researchers with the opportunity to collaborate on future innovations in biomanufacturing that will support the UK in achieving its clean growth ambitions."

Competing on the global stage

These awards are the first stage of a wider sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture programme being delivered by BBSRC, EPSRC and Innovate UK.

The programme aims to enhance UK global competitiveness by supporting research and innovation that focuses on developing new and disruptive sustainable biomanufacturing products and processes by 2050.

Further £12 million funding opportunity open

As part of this initiative, a new £12m sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture collaborative research and development funding opportunity is now open for applications.

Collaborative projects led by academic researchers and industry partners are welcomed and encouraged before the funding opportunity closes on 3 May 2023 at 11:00am UK time.

Supporting biomanufacturing for the future

The 34 feasibility projects just announced represent an investment of more than £2 million and will help advance the development of biomanufacturing across a range of UK industry sectors, including:

• agriculture
• construction
• fast moving consumer goods
• healthcare
• textiles

They will deliver innovations that help boost sustainable biomanufacturing processes by:

• increasing the use of bio-based feedstocks
• supporting the development of alternative bio-based chemical replacements
• enhancing the sustainability profile of biotechnology processes
• improving the use and reuse of renewable feedstocks
• developing biotechnology-based manufacture processes for sustainable and circular products

Ultimately, the projects will support UK biomanufacturing in becoming:

• net zero and resource efficient
• resilient and responsive
• technologically advanced and digital

www.ukri.org