UK’s first bio-based Materials Regulatory Network gets funding
Innovate UK has announced finance to accelerate the development of sustainable chemicals and materials.
BB-REG-NET, the UK’s first regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials, has launched with £474,135 from Innovate UK.
A 12-month implementation phase will now begin, which follows a ‘discovery period’ during which 180 professionals and 100 organisations were engaged with over half a year. Among other things, this period was dedicated to identifying key barriers preventing wider adoption of these environmentally-friendly products within their respective markets.
The next generation of plastics, textiles, energy and consumer electronics, medicines and more all stand to benefit from the research, which will help many of these materials and products move away from heavy reliance on fossil fuels. In general, chemicals are responsible for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
‘The development of a regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials is crucial to overcoming existing barriers to their widespread adoption,’ said Dr Jen Vanderhoven, Chief Operating Officer at BBIA and Project Lead for BB-REG-NET. ‘Current challenges include inconsistent policy and regulatory frameworks, standardardisation challenges, and a consumer confusion. These issues hinder innovation and market acceptance, placing bio-based chemicals and materials at a disadvantage compared to fossil-based incumbents.’
‘BB-REG-NET will bring together industry, academia, policy makers and regulators with a shared goal of developing, assessing and bringing to market the bio-based supply chains needed for a sustainable future ,’ added Rachael Rothman, Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering & Academic Lead for Sustainability at the University of Sheffield. ‘Through collaboration across sectors, we will develop guidelines to help harmonise the assessment of bio-based and biodegradable materials, and in particular to ensure fair, forward looking comparisons with fossil counterparts.’
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Image: Nikolett Emmert via Unsplash