New lab-developed essential oils – free from animal and plant extracts – being developed by researchers from the University of Glasgow could improve the ethics and sustainability of the fragrance industry.

Extracts from spirulina, the blue-green algae widely consumed as a superfood, could be turned into a therapeutic treatment for Covid-19, the common cold, and a host of other viruses, following promising initial results from research conducted by ScotBio.

Firefinch Software and i4 Product Design (i4PD) have announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership that will bring together the market leading software expertise of Firefinch Software with the hardware product design and development experience of i4PD, creating a one stop shop for start-ups and new businesses looking to bring their ideas quickly to market.

Innovate UK Young Innovators Awards winner Renuka Ramanujam is a Scotland-based textile designer and printmaker who came up with the idea for an innovative new material while working in the biomaterials sector five years ago.

In a latest funding round led by Gabriel Investment Syndicate and which included the University of Strathclyde’s Strathclyde Inspire Entrepreneurs Fund, Scottish Enterprise, Crowdcube and private investors, Revive Eco has received £376,000 to commercialise a patent pending process to recycle coffee grounds into a sustainable palm oil alternative.

Leading developer and operator of environmental technology solutions, SEM has claimed the top prize of $100,000 after their entry won the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge: The Amazon.

In a global first, marine growth found on the legs, known as jackets, of decommissioned oil and gas platforms could form the basis of new novel livestock and aquaculture feeds, as researchers look at ways to reuse the material, which can include seaweed, mussels and corals.

Researchers in Scotland have taken a big step forward in demonstrating the cost-effective scale-up of pig cell lines for cultivated – or lab-grown – meat production, addressing key challenges for the industry in the UK.

On 16 September 2022, foodtech company ENOUGH celebrated the completion of its Flagship plant with a ribbon-cutting event. The plant is one of the world’s largest protein facilities and aims to add game-changing capacity to the protein market.

Innovative veterinary diagnostics company MI:RNA has welcomed a new report from the National Farmers Union, saying their pioneering diagnostic test can play an invaluable role in helping the industry reach its ambitious net zero goal.

Biotechnology company Ingenza is delighted to announce that its recent partnership with Johnson Matthey has been selected to receive vital funding of £441,632.88 from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of the £1 billion fund from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which aims to slash emissions and energy costs.

On 4 October 2022, Absolute Biotech launched as a unified company joining together leading antibody-centric brands from around the world.

CuanTec recently hosted a visit by Ivan McKee, MSP, and Directors from the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), to learn about the company’s proprietary naturally derived biological, zero-carbon processes that eliminates existing shellfish waste and carbon emissions while replacing polluting or toxic products in the environment.

Project could lay the foundations for the development of nascent industry in the UK

OCEANIUM is part of a new industry-wide consortium funded by the European Union which will propel the seaweed farming industry across Europe. SeaMark is a consortium comprising 25 international, cross-disciplinary partners which has been awarded a prestigious €9 million grant to upscale seaweed production and market applications across Europe, meet the growing demand for seaweed-based products and attract investment from multiple sectors.

The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) is part of two new Hydrogen BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) Innovation Programme projects which has been funded by the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) that have been awarded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) is part of two new Hydrogen BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) Innovation Programme projects which has been funded by the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) that have been awarded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Dr Edward Green has joined NCIMB as Chief Executive Officer. He takes over from Dr Carol Phillips who is retiring after 12 years in the post.

Absolute Antibody Ltd., an industry-leading provider of recombinant antibody products and services, has announced the near doubling of its manufacturing facility in northeast England. The increased laboratory space includes a major investment in new automation for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), expression and purification (HPLC) to enhance recombinant antibody production workflows.

A start-up business which can produce and carry out PCR tests at a fraction of the current cost has won £60,000 of funding through the BioAccelerate programme.