In the UK, The University of York has been awarded £1.79 million by the European Regional Development Fund to support local biobased industries.
The university will use the funds to support its Biorenewables Development Centre, a three-year program to help regional businesses develop plant- or microbial-based production processes. The money will also be invested in BioVale, a nonprofit company that supports bioeconomic development in Yorkshire and Humber, to facilitate networking, build international collaboration, coordinate training, and encourage trade and investment.
“This grant is good news for the region’s small and medium-sized businesses, who can now benefit from funded business support to develop novel processes or products using plants, wastes or microbes,” says Joe Ross, Director of the BDC.
The announcement closely follows a request by the UK government for York to lead a consortium of universities, research establishments, Local Enterprise Partnerships, and industry to carry out a comprehensive audit of the bioeconomy in Northern England.