Bioeconomy Cluster Builder

Kim Cameron, Bioeconomy Cluster Business Engagement Manager

IBioIC’s Kim Cameron gives us a run-down of a busy quarter for the BCB project.

In June and August the BCB Project ran twinned events on Industrial Applications of Biomass and Processing Co-products. These events followed the initial workshop in May which brought together diverse range of stakeholders to consider challenges and opportunities associated with valorisation of several feedstocks; hemp, waste fats and oils, sugar beet and whisky co-products.

The June event produced a number of insights from the sector, including the need to map and understand biomass feedstocks, demand for a priority list of bio-based chemicals to focus on, the need for supply chain connectivity between stakeholders and the need for an improved scale up and innovation landscape.

Later, the BCB project partnered with the Blue Economy Cluster Builder to deliver the August event, which focused on marine biomass and aimed to facilitate connections and generate discussion between stakeholders from both networks. Outputs from the breakout sessions are currently being analysed. This was a popular event with 80 attendees and 6 breakout rooms focused on microalgae, seaweed and fish co-products.

We also ran a closed consortium-building event in July to bring together stakeholders from the hemp and whisky communities to further explore issues raised in May.

The Bioeconomy Cluster Builder (BCB) is a three-year project to introduce the benefits and applications of biotechnology to new sectors and markets in Scotland.

To find out more or get involved, contact kim.cameron@ibioic.com or visit the BCB website.