Our
members

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER is a powerhouse of research and is ranked first in Europe and second in the world for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023). Sitting within the University is the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC), which supports and connects the Northwest of England as a world-leading ecosystem to deliver a transformative bioeconomy. IBIC offers partners access to cutting-edge R&D knowledge, capabilities, talent and facilities. We support our community with skills-training, finance, and business advice so they can realise success. IBIC is led by the University of Manchester, in partnership with the Universities of Liverpool, Salford and Manchester Metropolitan, leading SMEs and corporate businesses, regional R&D organisations, accelerators, investors, and specialist skills providers, united by a culture of ethics, diversity, and openness and drive to deliver a R&D intensive bioeconomy.

The Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures is a collaboration between the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and The University of Sheffield. We bring experts from academia, business, policy and the voluntary sector together to create a sustainable future.

UNIVERSITY OF YORK is a world class university with significant expertise in bioeconomy research, and host two of the BBSRC Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Biomass Biorefinery Network (BBNet) and High Value Biorenewables Network (HVB), which support research and translation in sustainable, biologically based manufacturing.

VEGWARE is the UK’s first and only completely compostable food packaging firm, manufacturing since 2006. We are pioneering the development and manufacture of eco friendly catering disposables and food packaging that can all be recycled along with food waste. Our products are stylish, functional, economic and sustainable. The Vegware range of 250+ compostable products spans cutlery through to tableware, napkins, hot and cold drink cups, and takeaway packaging. We work with a network of distributors across the UK to deliver our range of eco disposables to our clients.

VerdiChem is a spin-out from Biome Technologies commercialising a biological production platform for high-value aromatic chemicals. Engineered bacteria convert renewable feedstocks into heteroaromatic diacids in a single fermentation. Aromatics remain almost entirely petrochemical, leaving cosmetics, coatings and adhesives companies with bio-content commitments they cannot meet. A nitrogen in the ring builds metal coordination sites directly into the polymer backbone, giving adhesion, self-healing and biodegradability. These are properties conventional aromatics do not have at any price, fossil or bio-based.

WOODLY produces a carbon-neutral, bio-based polymer from FSC-certified wood cellulose, driving the defossilisation of plastics and decarbonisation of packaging. Our versatile, transparent granulate suits extrusion, blown film, cast film, thermoforming, and injection moulding, seamlessly integrating into existing production systems without extra equipment. EFSA-certified for food safety, it can extend fresh food shelf life by up to 40%, reducing waste. Unlike biodegradable plastics, Woodly is mechanically recyclable, and we are committed to ensuring product circularity through collaboration across the value chain.

WOOLCOOL® aims to unleash the true potential of wool as a bio-material through the application of science, thereby making a significant impact on human health and wellbeing. Woolcool® serves the Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Industry. Along with other temperature sensitive medicines, it is used to send life-saving vaccines, insulin and cancer drugs around the world, keeping them in temperature and safe to use on arrival. It is also one of the leading Insulated Packaging solutions of choice within the Online Food Industry in the UK and Europe, supplying a number of large, medium and small online food companies. Woolcool® is used to send fresh chilled foods from raw milk and meat to chocolate and cakes, direct to the customer’s door.

Xampla is a materials innovation company unlocking the power of plants to create natural materials to change the world. Their platform technology powers a variety of applications including microencapsulation to enhance performance and Morro™ materials: world-first materials designed to eliminate the world’s most polluting plastics.

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is a collaborative body formed by the City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council to work together across a larger area. It was established to support businesses and attract investment. Recently, a 30-year devolution deal was announced, which includes an investment fund of over £500 million to enhance local governance and development. Additionally, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 was passed by Parliament, transferring powers from Westminster to the region, further empowering local decision-making.