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.

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.

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.

The UK’s first dedicated centre for sustainable electronics, the Responsible Electronics and Circular Technology Centre (REACT), has celebrated its official launch with a series of high-profile events and the inaugural meeting of its steering board.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that a common plastic used in everyday items like water bottles and food packaging can be transformed into paracetamol using engineered microbes—offering a potentially game-changing alternative to fossil fuel-based pharmaceutical production.

A cutting-edge research and innovation hub is set to revolutionise UK manufacturing by turning industrial waste into high-value, sustainable products using engineered microbes.

Scotland’s biotechnology sector is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of the nation’s first open-access 300-litre fermenter – a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that will support early-stage companies to develop bio-based products at scale.

Alex Speakman, founder of E.V.A Biosystems, provides insight into his company’s groundbreaking invention that allows plastics to break down in the sea without creating harmful microplastics.

Revolutionary developments in renewable energy, mental health, education, sport, medicine and food and drink have made it to the finals of the 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards highlighting the diversity of sectors and disciplines thriving in Scotland. With 32 individuals, teams and projects shortlisted across 10 categories, the 10th anniversary celebration will be the largest to date.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes toured Scotland’s first biorefinery as it reached a milestone in its drive to commercialise ground breaking technology. Celtic Renewables has recently released the first tanker load of green chemicals from its Grangemouth plant, marking the beginning of regular shipments.

Technology developed by Scottish biotech Biotangents, which has announced its latest investment round, is set to revolutionise the dairy farming industry with the world’s fastest on-farm, point-of-care diagnostic device aimed at addressing disease in dairy cows. 

The UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK have today announced £15m funding over the next five years for a National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC), with the remainder of the support coming from partners.

Interface has welcomed new members to its Strategic Board, from business and academic backgrounds, with a focus on supporting business-academic collaborations.

A refreshed industrial strategy, supporting economic growth and inward investment, is likely to be defined in the coming months, and given its role in the drive for sustainability, the bioeconomy should be a core focus. However, we cannot afford for new leaders to press pause on the progress made so far.

Waste textiles from sailing boats could be given a new lease of life as a result of a research project upcycling plastic fibres from sails into new chemicals such as vanillin – the compound used in cosmetics and food products for a vanilla flavour and smell.

The biotech sector in Galicia has a cutting end biotechnology industry, exciting start ups and spin outs, and several world class research institutes. They have 160 biotechnology companies, which an annual turnover of more than €1.4 bn and, like Scotland, has ambition plans to fast track this by 2030. The biotech sector generates 5,600 direct jobs in Galicia and is growing at around 10% per year.

Researchers in Scotland are investigating the potential of converting sewage sludge into a mineral-rich material that could be used to treat water impacted by eutrophication and algal blooms – a phenomenon increasingly affecting lochs and rivers, associated with climate change.

Regional clusters of innovation across the UK backed by £75 million that will boost local economies and pioneer game-changing solutions from healthcare to net zero.

At the 13th annual ceremony, Scotland’s springboard for university founders recognised spin-outs and start-ups which are set to transform society, people and planet for the better.