On the 9th April 2019, Minerva, the UK partner in the BIOVOICES project, organised the second UK regional MML workshop at BioVale, Biorenewables Development Centre in Dunnington, York UK. The focus of the workshop was the Waste Valorisation sector and the challenges these businesses face relating to the four phases of development – Idea/Start-up, Business Case development, Go-to-Market and Market Acceleration.

The EU H2020-funded BIOVOICES project is running a series of Mobilisation and Mutual Learning activities (MMLs) across Europe, engaging the stakeholders of the Quadruple Helix (government/policy, business, research and civil society), to address the most relevant challenges to boost the Bioeconomy and the uptake and development of bio-based market uptake.

“I was unsure what to expect [of the MML] but in any event I really welcomed the opportunity to have my voice heard and to discuss the issues with experienced people – I felt empowered by the experience. I was able to speak freely about my own experience with my own company which faces the challenge of trying to move to bio-based production creating biodegradable products.” – Plastics manufacturer

BIOVOICES is committed to ensuring all voices concerned with the switch to biobased resources are heard.

The key issues emerging from the workshop were:

1. With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the UK is in a difficult position. Many policy areas, including the UK Bioeconomy Strategy, are currently being overlooked/overshadowed while Brexit negotiations are taking place. While there is no clear plan for the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK is in a holding position regarding the promotion of the UK Bioeconomy Strategy and the market development and uptake of BBPs.
2. In the UK the bio-based sector and products are underdeveloped due to limited action at Government level and confusion at public level.
3. International markets and senarios may benefit more directly from bio-based and circular economy solutions rather than focusing on the bioeconomy in isolation.
4. The bioeconomy has limited impact unless joined with the circular economy approach.

Which are the actionable points arising from the workshop?

1. Standardisation of labelling and language that can be trusted by all stakeholders – develop  unit of sustainability that is globally recognised
2. Work to transform regulatory framework and policy in UK
3. Government support for Regional Structures in UK – develop regional/national consortia to spread risk, optimise benefit and  drive innovation. 
4. Education of wider society essential to raise consumer awareness about the benefits of buying BBP for the individual and the environment
5. Ensure stability and consistency of feedstock and supplies
6. Walk away from opportunities if they do not involve the best use of resources – sometimes fossil is better or more appropriate for certain applications.

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The Venue – BioVale, Biorenewables Development Centre, York UK

Waste Valorisation is the process of converting waste materials and by-streams from an industry or process into useful products including chemicals, materials, and fuels.
BioVale is a not-for-profit company, supported and steered by regional industry, research organisations, higher education and government in the York and Humber area. Their main focus is on; value from biowastes and by-products of agri-food supply chains; high-value chemicals and advanced fuels from plants and microbes; and smart collaboration between agri-tech and industrial biotech.

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