Engaging with new sectors

The Bioeconomy Cluster Builder has been ramping up engagement with the textiles sector, with two events focused around the role that biotechnology can play in making the textiles industry more sustainable. On 13 March, as part of Bioeconomy Week Scotland 2024, the BCB Project, in conjunction with Glasgow School of Art and Generation of Waste, held an in-person networking session at the University of Strathclyde Students’ Union. Featuring the impressive and thought-provoking Generation of Waste installation, which was first exhibited as part of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2022, as a backdrop and focal point, this event brought together textile design and production stakeholders to network with the biotechnology community. Examples of biotech solutions to industry challenges were on display from Mercel, SeaDyes and Sustainable Sailing, alongside the work from MRes Product Design students from GSA.

Credit_ Lateral North. SFS Generation of Waste

Momentum in this area was maintained with a webinar on 22 March exploring the role for biotechnology in end of life textiles. Cutting edge approaches to improve sustainability of textile manufacturing were considered in a series of presentations, which were followed by a panel session.

Beyond textiles, the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder has also been engaging with Space Scotland, and ran an online session in February which looked at how biotech could support human health in space, constructions and management, and closed environment agriculture. The space industry in Scotland is a fast-growing sector and biotech has a significant role to play in ensuring it is also a sustainable one.

In recent months, the BCB has also hosted webinars with Scottish Forestry to consider opportunities for biotech development using forestry by-products, with Scotland Food and Drink Net Zero Partnership exploring opportunities for biotechnology to improve the environmental performance of the food production and processing industry, and with Potter Clarkson and HIE on IP auditing.

Catch up on past BCB events by watching the webinar recordings.

If you have any questions about the BCB, or would like to get involved please contact kim.cameron@ibioic.com