Academics from Teesside University are collaborating with the University of Leeds and three industry partners to explore the transformation of residual solids from fermentation into valuable ‘char-based materials’.
This research has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food production, and biotechnology, by converting waste products that would typically be sent to landfill into useful char-based materials that can be reintegrated into the production cycle.
The project aims to take the leftover solids from fermentation, which are generally used for livestock feed or disposed of in landfills, and convert them into engineered char-based materials. This innovation will enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production cycles across various industries, supporting the biomanufacturing sector’s goal of achieving net-zero environmental impact.
The two-year initiative, named FermoChar, has secured £870,000 in funding from Innovate UK, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), all part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Participants in the project include Albumedix, a leading biotechnology firm based in Nottingham; Biome Technologies, a premier bioplastics company from Southampton; Three Brothers Brewing Company from Stockton-on-Tees; and the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC), a scale-up and demonstration centre in York.
These industrial partners employ various fermentation techniques in their product manufacturing and will demonstrate how the research can be applied across different sectors.
The project aims to generate up to £10 million for its partners within three years through efficiency savings and the commercialisation of the FermoChar technology.
Dr Omar Aboelazayem, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Teesside University, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance the sustainability of businesses across multiple sectors by repurposing waste materials.
Dr Aboelazayem will lead the Teesside University team, with support from the university’s Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC) and National Horizons Centre (NHC). The NZIIC and NHC are national centres of excellence for net zero technologies and bioscience, respectively.
Dr Aboelazayem stated, “Teesside University is dedicated to leveraging its expertise and knowledge to develop innovative solutions that address the climate crisis and help industry achieve its net zero goals. We are thrilled to lead this project, which has the potential to significantly impact the sustainability of businesses by reusing waste materials.”
Dr Andrew Ross from the School of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds added, “This project supports our vision of developing sustainable processes with enhanced efficiency and zero waste. It builds on our expertise in waste valorisation and aligns with our energy transition and net zero research strategy. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to transform industrial sustainability in new ways.”
Dr Amy Switzer, Biotechnology Development Manager at Biome Bioplastics, remarked, “As a company dedicated to biobased developments, Biome’s use of fermentation aims to increase the biobased content of our products and promote sustainability. We are very excited to be part of the FermoChar project and look forward to how this collaboration can support our shared vision of a more sustainable future.”
Biome Technologies plc (LON:BIOM) is a growth oriented, commercially driven technology group. The Group’s primary activity is the development of its fast growing business in bioplastics. The Group comprises two divisions: Biome Bioplastics and Stanelco RF Technologies.
