Bioeconomy report touts biobased product potential for UK’s National Health Service

In the UK, a new report has determined that the National Health Service could drive £30-120 million (US$40-$163 million) in sales for the bioeconomy if it switched single-use plastic products such as syringes and gloves to biobased alternatives.

 The report, “Buying into Biomanufacturing: Harnessing Public Procurement for the UK Bioeconomy,” was authored by Jonathan Hobson at Perspective Economics and used analysis from Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association’s Jen Vanderhoven.

The study found that, out of 670 NHS contracts, procurement changes were possible in 407.

“If the UK is serious about delivering on net zero and strengthening resilience, it must embed biobased products into public procurement,” Vanderhoven told Resource.co.  “Starting with the NHS would not only cut carbon and reduce reliance on fossil-based imports but also give UK innovators the market confidence they need to scale and compete globally.”