Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme has provided a £5 million funding boost to accelerate biobased manufacturing and the bioeconomy in Scotland. This funding supports R&D initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainable practices in the region.
Nineteen projects will advance in the programme’s second round. Of these, eleven are collaborative R&D projects, while eight small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have applied for grants under the Minimal Financial Assistance strand.
Successful projects include businesses focused on adopting industrial biotechnology processes and developing biomass supply chains. They aim to create sustainable production opportunities and foster innovation in skills development.
Grants will range from £25,000 to £1 million and are subject to due diligence checks. These funds are designed to assist innovative businesses and research groups in scaling operations, contributing to a greener economy. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) will manage the cluster in Scotland, collaborating with Scottish Enterprise and Forth Valley College.
IBioIC supports participants with technical development and helps them become investor-ready. Since its inception in 2014, IBioIC has played an essential role in the industrial biotechnology sector’s growth, attracting £35 million in additional research funding for its 300 members.
Dr. Liz Fletcher, Director of Business Engagement at IBioIC, commented on the funding announcement. “Scotland has a thriving bioeconomy, and we welcome this commitment to support new projects for a greener future,” she stated. She emphasized that bio-based manufacturing is crucial for achieving net-zero targets.
The first stage of the Launchpad programme allocated around £1.8 million to thirteen projects, focusing on green fuels, polymers, and alternative foods. Entrepreneurs shared updates on their progress at IBioIC’s annual conference held at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre.
Among the recipients of Launchpad funding in the first stage was SilviBio, a female-founded company awarded £88,000. Dr. Alicja Dzieciol, recognized with an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, developed peat-free plant propagation blocks ahead of regulations banning peat use in horticulture by 2030.
