Beta Bugs Ltd, a developer of premium Black Soldier Fly (BSF) genetics, has announced the appointment of Dr Alan Tinch as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2026.

Carbogenics, a specialist bio-carbon designer headquartered in Edinburgh, has successfully closed a $3 million investment and grant funding round, positioning the firm for accelerated growth and international expansion. The funding marks a significant vote of confidence in Carbogenics’ breakthrough carbon removal technology, CreChar®, a biochar designed to transform biomass waste into a sustainable, carbon-negative solution, particularly within the Biogas Industry.

From the fishing vessels that land wild-caught fish to the salmon farms along the west coast, the impact of Scotland’s seafood industry stretches far beyond the shoreline, underpinning over 75,000 jobs and contributing around £5 billion to the marine economy each year.

NCIMB, the Aberdeen-based microbiology company is delighted to welcome Martin Gouldstone as chairman of the board.

An Edinburgh-based biologist-turned-entrepreneur is combining ancient fermentation techniques with modern biotechnology to create a non-alcoholic fermented beverage that’s full of flavour and free from artificial sweeteners, flavours or preservatives, inspired by his childhood in Estonia.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) has marked a major milestone this year by welcoming its 400th member, Fevvers - a pioneering materials innovation company creating a vegan, cruelty-free alternative to feathers. This achievement not only highlights the rapid expansion of Scotland’s bioeconomy but also underscores IBioIC’s position as a leading hub for sustainable innovation. The network welcomed 100 new members this year just nine months after surpassing its 300-member milestone in February.

This innovative initiative aims to transform potato shaws into high value bio- derived ingredients for cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

The Scottish Ocean Cluster has received a boost with more than £15,000 of funding from Marine Fund Scotland, enabling the next stage of development for the pioneering initiative that aims to unlock three times more value from Scotland’s seafood industry side streams.

From the cotton fields and oil wells that provide today’s fibres to the landfill sites where old garments end up, fashion’s environmental impact is felt across its full value chain. Kim Cameron, Senior Impact Manager at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), explained to Circular Online this week how biotechnology is stitching sustainability into the fashion industry.

Colleges across Scotland are set to enhance their entrepreneurial focus through a new Entrepreneur in Residence programme designed to strengthen enterprise and innovation.

Fevvers, the world’s first plant-based feather alternative, made its runway debut in Stella McCartney’s Summer 2026 collection, and with it, redefined what luxury can mean.

Edinburgh-based tech startup Vaste has created a Bloomberg-style trading platform to support a range of sectors in Scotland with their net zero and sustainability goals, simplifying transactions that will see the organic waste from one industry become another’s gold.

Six universities have received funding to collaborate with businesses based outwith Scotland in the latest round of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund (IICF). The fund, managed by Interface and the Scottish Government, awards up to £10,000 for research and development projects.

Behind every sip of water and every turn of the tap lies an unseen system, quietly working to keep it flowing every day. But like many essential services, it faces growing challenges, from high energy demands and reliance on chemicals, to ageing infrastructure and climate change. In this interview, Annelie du Plessis (IBioIC) speaks with Tamsyn Kennedy (Scottish Water) about how biology and chemistry are driving change in the way we treat, reuse, and value water.

Potter Clarkson recently released the most comprehensive analysis of the synthetic biology (SynBio) patent landscape, offering unprecedented insights into one of the fastest-growing innovation sectors. The Synthetic Biology Patent Landscape Report examines 20 years of European Patent Office data (2004–2023) using cutting-edge AI-driven topic modelling combined with expert human analysis. 

What does the sea smell like when captured in a glass? And how might the way we process seaweed shape that experience? These were the unexpected questions that emerged during a recent sensory evaluation session exploring seaweed infusions in alcoholic beverages, a research project led by master’s student Naomi Morgan of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), Heriot-Watt University.

MYGroup has entered into a joint venture with insect genetics company Beta Bugs to supply eggs for its Black Soldier Fly (BSF) bioconversion Insectology™ process for food waste management.

IBioIC member E.V.A Biosystems has been awarded a prestigious Innovate UK grant to accelerate the development of its innovative selectively-degradable plastic additives – a major step forward in creating more sustainable and circular materials.

The University of Strathclyde has been chosen to lead a new Scotland-wide initiative to boost the creation of university spinout companies, backed by £800,000 in Scottish Government funding. The Spinout Pipeline Project will share commercialisation expertise across Scotland’s higher education sector and culminate in a national innovation summit in February 2026.

Heriot-Watt University has announced a transformative £35 million initiative to create the Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD), a state-of-the-art facility designed to ensure the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of the brewing and distilling industries.