Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM) Cafes
Join us for a series of online webinars and hear from a selection of speakers involved in developing biobased materials and innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.
Event Details
When
11 Jun, 9 July, 10 Sept, 8 Oct, 12 Nov, 10 Dec, 14 Jan 2025, 11 Feb. All events 10-10.45am, online.
Where
Online
About the talks
Innovate UK’s ‘Materials and Manufacturing vision 2050’ outlines the opportunities and challenges that lie in front of the UK materials and manufacturing sectors as we are aiming for a net zero world.
However, we cannot achieve this without key technologies such as Industrial Biotechnology and Engineering Biology. To support the Biomanufacturing activities in the UK, we are launching a series of online webinars delivered through our Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM) programme. The SusBioMM Cafe Series present a selection of speakers who are developing biobased materials and innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.
Scroll down to see the recordings from the past sessions in the series.
Upcoming sessions
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Topic: “Developing a scalable, urine based fertilizer – challenges and opportunities” – Lucy Bell-Reeves, NPK Recovery
Summary: NPK Recovery is an early-stage startup in Bristol. They have been recovering nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from urine collected at events, creating a product that could be used to reduce the UKs reliance on synthetic fertilizer. The NPK Recovery team believe a circular economy is possible when it comes to using our waste to meet the nutrient demands of our crops, and will share some of the current challenges to scaling and further developing their innovation. Feedback and questions from the community will be warmly welcomed.
SusBioMM Cafes: Session Recordings
Watch all the recordings from the past sessions in the series (most recent recordings are displayed first).
Past sessions
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“Employing engineering biology for industries in the UK – an SME perspective”. Amy Switzer, Biotechnology Development Manager, Biome Bioplastics
Summary: Biome Bioplastics is a compostable plastics development and sales company who have spent the last 8-9 years utilising engineering biology to develop sustainable routes to novel polymers with enhanced functionality and biodegradability over their fossil-based analogues. Having collaborated with various academic institutions and industries across the UK and worldwide, Biome are now working with The London Biofoundry to enhance experimental throughput and accelerate their strain productivities in-house. This talk will outline the successes and hurdles Biome has faced during their engineering biology venture from the perspective of a UK-based SME.
Recording available above
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Topic: Natural dyes from food waste, Emily Taylor, CEO SAGES
Summary: During this talk Emily Taylor from SAGES will share their business journey and development of their innovative solutions within the world of dyes. SAGES leverages the untapped potential of discarded food items, turning them into eco-friendly, sustainable dyes, colorants and pigments with applications in many industries from textiles to cosmetics. By utilising waste materials along with a circular low impact manufacturing process, they not only reduce environmental impact but also create vibrant, safe products that challenge the conventional synthetic dye market. Join us as we delve into their process, and the positive global impact of embracing sustainability alongside innovation.
Recording available above
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Topic: Reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector and Sustainable Insulation Materials, Olivia Page, CEO Mykor
Summary: Mykor will be sharing its strategy for reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector. Co-founder Olivia Page will delve into the utilization of biomass waste in construction materials, exploring their significance and practical applications within this field. With the UK government aiming for NetZero by 2050, Mykor offers actionable solutions that can be implemented now. Mykor approach involves a comprehensive examination of carbon reduction across building projects, emphasizing operational, embodied, and sequestered carbon in the built environment.
Following this, Olivia will spotlight Mykor’s mission and first product: insulation material crafted from industrial residues and mycelium, driven by biotechnology. Mykor’s innovation targets a significant portion of global carbon emissions, envisioning a future where buildings are constructed using carbon-negative materials.
Recording available above
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Topic: Low carbon modular construction.
Chloe Donovan, Managing Director, Natural Building Systems.
Recording available above
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Topic: Colorifix – recreating nature’s palette in textile dyeing with biotechnology
Daniel will discuss how Colorifix uses synthetic biology to dye fabric in a sustainable way. He will talk about synthetic biology, fermentation scale up, and the future of producing sustainable materials using synthetic biology.
Daniel Frankel, Colorifix
Recording available above
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Topic – MiAlgae: Scaling Sustainable Omega-3 Innovation
Discover MiAlgae’s journey from concept to commercialisation as we tackle global challenges with sustainable Omega-3 production, powered by innovative circular economy practices. Learn how our unique approach, critical partnerships, and resilience have driven success, and get a glimpse into our ambitious plans for growth and global impact.
Johann Partridge – Operations Director, MiAlgaeRecording available above
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Topic: Enabling Novel Applications for Welsh Wool in the Built Environment
Speaker: Vicente Orts, Vector Homes
Summary: Mountain Welsh sheep’s wool, traditionally used for carpets, rugs, and soft-rolled insulation, finds revolutionary new purpose in LAMDA. A rigid panel insulation, designed for acoustic and thermal applications. LAMDA leverages and builds on wool’s natural properties, including its flame resistance, breathability, and biodegradability, making it a high-performance, fully circular and sustainable option for modern built environment applications, displacing energy-intensive and oil-derived insulation alternatives.
Recording available above
Related programme
![Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM)](https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AdobeStock_467249783-scaled.jpeg)
Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM)
The sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture (SusBioMM) programme seeks to address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.
![Reimagining materials and manufacturing together](https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_272373165-scaled.jpeg)