Biochar CleanTech Accelerator
The Biochar CleanTech Accelerator drives economic growth and environmental benefits in the West Midlands by commercialising biochar technology, expanding low-carbon manufacturing, targeting £200m in exports, and fostering innovation through research, collaboration, and student engagement.
Project Overview
The Biochar CleanTech Accelerator, led by Aston University, is a program designed to commercialise biochar technology and drive economic growth in the West Midlands.
Building on existing research facilities at Aston University, the accelerator aims to develop growth potential and target export contracts worth over £200 million for low carbon products produced by a regional industrial cluster.
The project received £1.8m of Innovation Accelerator funding to develop innovative technology to transform organic material such as sawdust or fallen and diseased trees, dried chicken manure and agricultural straw into commercially valuable bioproducts.
By commercialising knowledge, facilities, and research results, the accelerator seeks to benefit the environment and regional economy, continue the development of a high-capacity low carbon engineering cluster, open up new domestic and export markets to help rebuild engineering and manufacturing, provide a development pathway for launching new technology-based opportunities, and engage staff and students through projects and placements to seed further future commercial innovation.
Overall, the Biochar Accelerator aims to position the West Midlands as a leader in biochar technology and sustainable manufacturing, while also contributing to environmental benefits and economic growth.