Policy and reports

UKBio35 sets out the BBIA’s vision for achieving this outcome by 2035. It defines how BBIA will act as a strategic systems leader – bringing together industry, government, investors, regulators, researchers and civil society to create the conditions needed for bio-based innovation to thrive.

Scotland’s refreshed National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology sets out a clear ambition to scale bio-based manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and attract investment.

The UK’s bioeconomy: A case for building growth, resilience and sustainability, showcases the UK’s strengths in the bioeconomy and actions needed to accelerate our transition towards a nature positive future.

The UK does not lack bioeconomy innovation. The challenge is turning that innovation into manufacturing, investment and jobs here in the UK. Ahead of the Autumn Budget 2026, BBIA is calling on Government to take five practical steps to help bridge the gap between world-leading UK science and industrial-scale manufacturing.

Biotech Act II (EU): Addressing cross-cutting challenges and establishing an enabling regulatory framework for industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing

BBIA Consultation Response: UK Fertilisers Regulatory Reform (UK FPR)

The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy aims to position the country as a global leader in technology-driven innovation by 2035, with engineering biology identified as a key growth sector capable of transforming industries such as beauty and personal care through sustainable, bio-based production. While the UK is well placed to lead this transition, regulatory complexity, high costs, and limited domestic supply chains are slowing progress. This report highlights the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and five priority actions are recommended.

The UK is at a critical point in developing its engineering biology sector, with advances creating new opportunities across multiple industries. Yet a common claim persists: that limited scale-up infrastructure is the main barrier to market. This report challenges that view. Drawing on industry insights and survey data, it finds that while fermentation and downstream capacity matter, the real barriers to commercialisation are broader—spanning investment, coordination, and the link from research to industry.

Modern society depends on packaging to store, protect, and transport goods at scale, supporting essential systems such as food supply, healthcare, and e-commerce, while reducing damage, contamination, and waste. However, most packaging remains fossil-based and short-lived, generating significant waste and emissions; with the UK producing around 12 million tonnes annually and recycling rates still limited, policy misalignment and higher costs for bio-based alternatives risk slowing innovation, investment, and the transition to a more sustainable circular economy.

Over £3 billion has flowed into the UK bio-based sector since 2008 — but scaling the industry remains the next major challenge.

2025 has been a defining year for BBIA and for the UK’s modern industrial bioeconomy. As global momentum for bio-based solutions accelerates, BBIA’s role as a convenor, evidence-builder, and trusted voice has become more important than ever.

This Annual Report sets out how BBIA has delivered against its four core pillars – Influence, Innovate, Connect, and Communicate – during 2025, and the foundations laid for 2026 and beyond as we work towards a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive UK bioeconomy.

𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙆’𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙞𝙤𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙮 — BBIA’s White Paper outlining how the UK can scale bio-based chemicals and materials into a £204bn annual industry.