The workshop on the 2nd July 2019 at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, was organised in conjunction with the Enabling Project and Bioladies Network as one of the 4 Regional MML workshops of the Biovoices Project. Representatives were invited from the four stakeholder groups as identified above, each with the hands-on knowledge and willingness to contribute input and experience from their own perspectives to:
Identify the Challenges preventing progression & development of the UKs bio-based sectors and products [to be discussed across all phases of development]
Focus on the opportunities for the development of the UK Bio-based sector [to be discussed across all phases of development]
Agree Top level points to progress the UK Bio-based sector
The invited attendees across the four groups heard from allied and interested stakeholders, enabling discussion of the challenges impacting, and the opportunities available relating to the three bio-based product development stages – business case, go to market, market acceleration – and identify the common issues that inhibit the realisation of bio-based alternatives. Attendees then had the opportunity to combine their connected thoughts on the required steps to help overcome these challenges, as well as identifying the support their sector or product will require, and what they can also offer to drive progress.
Tom Collison presented the Enabling Project and also shared Best Practices and examples of successful biomass optimisation including Flax biocomposites for car parts and other high value applications. The whole day workshop was followed by a networking event with refreshments which was attended by an additional 10 stakeholders.
Workshop organised and conducted together with Biovoices Project and Bioladies Network. Workshop followed by Enabling Project networking event with refreshments. New contacts were made with biomass producers, researchers, knowledge transfer and business engagement actors, SME’s and start-ups.
The co-created content derived from this MML will be combined with the results of the three other planned regional MMLs (South-West, North East, Wales) to be shared at the three national BIOVOICES meetings (London, Scotland, Wales). These meetings are planned for late 2019/early 2020 and are expected to be organised in partnership with the Bioeconomy and the Bio-based sections of Innovate and KTN. Strong links and cooperation with Biovoices Project and Bioladies Network will benefit exploitation of Enabling Project and facilitate dissemination.