Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM) Cafes

About the event

Innovate UK’s ‘Materials and Manufacturing vision 2050’ outlines the opportunities and challenges that lie in front of the UK materials and manufacturing sectors as we are aiming for a net zero world.

However, we cannot achieve this without key technologies such as Industrial Biotechnology and Engineering Biology. To support the Biomanufacturing activities in the UK, we are launching a series of online webinars delivered through our Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM) programme. The SusBioMM Cafe Series present a selection of speakers who are developing biobased materials and innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.

Scroll down to see the recordings from the past sessions in the series.

Upcoming sessions

• Session:  9th July, 10 am – 10.45 am BST

  Topic: Natural dyes from food waste, Emily Taylor, CEO SAGES

  Summary: During this talk Emily Taylor from SAGES will share their business journey and development of their innovative solutions within the world of dyes. SAGES leverages the untapped potential of discarded food items, turning them into eco-friendly, sustainable dyes, colorants and pigments with applications in many industries from textiles to cosmetics. By utilising waste materials along with a circular low impact manufacturing process, they not only reduce environmental impact but also create vibrant, safe products that challenge the conventional synthetic dye market. Join us as we delve into their process, and the positive global impact of embracing sustainability alongside innovation.

• Session:  10th September 10 am – 10.45 am BST 

  Topic: Reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector and Sustainable Insulation Materials, Olivia Page, CEO Mykor

  Summary: Mykor will be sharing its strategy for reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector. Co-founder Olivia Page will delve into the utilization of biomass waste in construction materials, exploring their significance and practical applications within this field. With the UK government aiming for NetZero by 2050, Mykor offers actionable solutions that can be implemented now. Mykor approach involves a comprehensive examination of carbon reduction across building projects, emphasizing operational, embodied, and sequestered carbon in the built environment.

  Following this, Olivia will spotlight Mykor’s mission and first product: insulation material crafted from industrial residues and mycelium, driven by biotechnology. Mykor’s innovation targets a significant portion of global carbon emissions, envisioning a future where buildings are constructed using carbon-negative materials.

• Session: 8th October 10 am – 10.45 am BST 

  Topic:  Low carbon modular construction.

  Chloe Donovan, Managing Director, Natural Building Systems.

• Session: 12th November 2024, 10 am – 10.45 am GMT 

  Topic: Developing a scalable, urine-based fertilizer – challenges and opportunities.
  Lucy Bell-Reeves, Project manager NPK Recovery

• Session: 10th December 2024, 10 am – 10.45 am GMT 

  Topic: Harnessing the power of algae to create valuable products from waste.

  Yann Collins, Phycoworks, Operations Manager

• Session: 14th January 2025, 10 am – 10.45 am GMT 

  Topic: TBC

• Session: 11th Feb 2025, 10 am – 10.45 am GMT 

  Topic: TBC

Past sessions

• Session: 11th June, 10 am – 10.45 am BST
  
  “Employing engineering biology for industries in the UK – an SME perspective”. Amy Switzer, Biotechnology Development Manager, Biome BioplasticsSummary: Biome Bioplastics is a compostable plastics development and sales company who have spent the last 8-9 years utilising engineering biology to develop sustainable routes to novel polymers with enhanced functionality and biodegradability over their fossil-based analogues. Having collaborated with various academic institutions and industries across the UK and worldwide, Biome are now working with The London Biofoundry to enhance experimental throughput and accelerate their strain productivities in-house. This talk will outline the successes and hurdles Biome has faced during their engineering biology venture from the perspective of a UK-based SME.