Fermtech, the biotech company pioneering fermentation technology to unlock more value from existing crops, has raised £2.5 million in seed funding to scale production of its Koji Cocoa™, a sustainable cocoa alternative made from cocoa shells. The product delivers 25%-33% cost savings in chocolate and baked goods and achieves up to 98% lower carbon emissions - all without requiring additional farmland.

Scottish bio-based chemical manufacturer Celtic Renewables is collaborating on a three-month project with Aberdeen-based microbiology company NCIMB. Celtic converts waste and by-products like potatoes and residues from whisky distillation into bio-based chemicals.

New Wave Biotech and iMEAN have partnered to offer biomanufacturers a pioneering combined solution for end-to-end bioprocess optimisation, combining New Wave’s downstream process, TEA and LCA modelling capabilities with iMEAN’s strain design and upstream process modelling expertise.

A drug to treat Parkinson’s disease can be made from waste plastic bottles using a pioneering method, a study shows.

The approach harnesses the power of bacteria to transform post-consumer plastic into L-DOPA, a frontline medication for the neurological disorder.

It is the first time a natural, biological process has been engineered to turn plastic waste into a therapeutic for a neurological disease, researchers say.

Firefinch Software, a multidisciplinary group of developers and experts who specialise in the development of life sciences software, today announced that they have become a member of the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), the UK’s leading industry association for healthtech. The move underlines Firefinch’s commitment to helping medical device developers build robust, regulation ready at every stage of their journey from start-up, spin-out or scale up.

A scientist who joined Ingenza as a 16-year-old apprentice has completed a PhD while working full-time at the company – a career path that highlights the long-term impact of work-based learning as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

A team of researchers across Scotland and England is showing how biological systems can reshape the way cities deal with polluted soils, offering a glimpse into a future where natural urban infrastructures are greener, cheaper, and more resilient.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

RipCell, an IBioIC member company that was awarded £626,734 through the fund. RipCell uses byproducts from Scotland’s whisky industry to process waste from the lithium-ion battery sector, turning two waste streams into a resource and advancing a truly circular economy