IBioIC In the News
New funding announced for biotechnology scale-ups
A new fund was launched in February by IBioIC to enable biotech companies to access specialist facilities, equipment and resources that will help to expand Scotland’s bioeconomy and unlock opportunities for growth. The story was taken up by The Scotsman, Daily Business, Envirotech Magazine, The Chemical Engineer, and Digit Deal Roundup Column
A field of dreams, why growing sugar beet is critical to Scotland’s future
IBioIC’s report on the re-introduction of Sugar Beet to Scotland continued to receive coverage in February with a story in Biofuels Digest.
Fish Oils Used To Create Key Component For Eco-friendly Detergent
Six-figure funding from IBioIC enabled EcoClean to undertake a research project with experts from the Universty of St Andrews to develop a new process that uses by-products from fish farming to produce surfactants, one of the main components in detergents and other industrial and institutional cleaning products. The story was covered by Process Industry Informer and Oils & Fats International.
New filtration system fuelled by whisky
A filtration system fuelled by whisky co-products is being developed by researchers to sustainably extract rare and valuable metals such as gold, silver, and palladium from waste electronics using a new combined biological and chemical approach.
The consortium of organisations – comprising of Aberdeen-based environmental tech company, SEM; WEEE Scotland, the waste services provider; the University of Edinburgh; and IBioIC – has proven the feasibility of a more sustainable method for recovering reusable scrap metal from products such as TVs and laptops, reported Chemical Industry Journal in February.
A new network will help promote gender diversity in Scotland’s synthetic biology industry.
A new group to promote gender diversity and support women working in synthetic biology was launched on International Women’s Day with support from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre.
The Women in Synthetic Biology network invite women and underrepresented genders to join them for a range of networking, coaching, and training opportunities. The launch was reported in Digit News, The Manufacturer, and The News Observers.
Scottish researchers are turning salmon wastes into a key component in nylon.
In March, The Cordova Times reported on an exciting project which saw plastic experts from Impact Solutions partner with the University of Edinburgh, seafood producer Farne Salmon and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) to use biological enzymes to extract the fatty components of fish waste. They are then turned into a mixture of adipic acid, a precursor to nylon, which is used in a wide range of products including petrochemical and polyurethane-based items such as building insulation, furniture cushions, cosmetics, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, food additives and flavourings.
IBioIC conference: net zero aim in a bio-economy
March saw the first of IBioIC’s conference media coverage. The Scotsman ran an article in which CEO Mark Bustard talked about opportunities for jobs and economic growth through environmentally friendly innovation.
Turning to nature: how Scotland’s bioeconomy could support a zero carbon built environment
Scottish Construction Now and Project Scotland ran a story in April about the potential for biotechnology to support the construction sector’s ambition to transition to net zero. Featuring Jennifer Smart, head of sustainability programmes at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), the story was published ahead of a Bioeconomy Cluster Builder event to explore potential cross over between biotechnology and construction.
Discovery Park
The addition of the Kent-based science and innovation park Discovery Park to IBioIC’s cohort of industrial members was widely covered in April, with Deadline News, The Scotsman, Drug Discovery Today, UK Bioindustry Association, UKSPA, Digit News, Holyrood magazine, Public Technology, Business Leader, and Glasgow City of Science and Innovation carrying the story.
How itchy woolly jumpers may soon be consigned to history
An exciting project supported by IBioIC and the University of Edinburgh saw IBioIC member companies Prickly Thistle and Johnstons of Elgin team up to explore a new process to naturally soften wool using enzymes, making it more suitable for use in clothing and other textiles. The potential for this process to boost the value of the natural material and help introduce a new, sustainable product to the textile market was covered by The Herald, Apparel Views, UKFT, and Insider.co.uk.
Time to back up commitment to sustainable change with real action
IBioIC CEO Dr Mark Bustard spoke in The Scotsman in April about the urgency of a transition across all four pillars of sustainability; environmental, human, social and economic, the need for bold policies, and the role of the bio-economy in the transition to net-zero.
Networking to net zero at IBioIC conference
This piece in The Scotsman in April previewed the key areas IBioIC’s Annual Conference will explore when it takes place in June. IBioIC CEO Dr Mark Bustard talked about the importance of collaboration and relationship building, key activities for delivering on the ambitions for Scotland’s bioeconomy.