Exploitation of agri-food chain co-products and biomass
Lead Research Organisation:
Institute of Food Research
Department Name: Contracts
Abstract
As part of a strategic drive to increase sustainability, food and energy there is increasing strategic interest in exploiting wastes, co-products and general biomass from UK agriculture.
This project seeks to develop approaches to disassemble plant cell walls and plant structures in order to enhance the exploitation of valuable components, and to convert residual lignocellulose to biofuels and platform chemicals.
The project will involve the use of novel physical pretreatments including steam explosion, and the use of life cycle analysis for evaluating environmental impact.
This project seeks to develop approaches to disassemble plant cell walls and plant structures in order to enhance the exploitation of valuable components, and to convert residual lignocellulose to biofuels and platform chemicals.
The project will involve the use of novel physical pretreatments including steam explosion, and the use of life cycle analysis for evaluating environmental impact.
Organisations
- Institute of Food Research, United Kingdom (Lead Research Organisation)
- Palm Paper Ltd (Collaboration)
- G.R.Wright & Sons Ltd (Collaboration)
- Bulrush Horticulture Ltd (Collaboration)
- John Innes Centre, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Adnams plc (Collaboration)
- Lotus Engineering Ltd, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Collaboration)
- University of East Anglia, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- University of York, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Collaboration)
- Lenzing Fibers Grimsby Limited, Grimsby, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Aston University, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- ADAS, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Brunel University London, Uxbridge (Collaboration)
- Vireol PLC, London, UK (Collaboration)
- Government of Vietnam (Collaboration)
- King's College London, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
Publications
Agathos SN
(2013)
Biotechnology for the bio- and green economy.
in New biotechnology
Aldous L
(2017)
Feedstocks and analysis: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Argyropoulos D
(2017)
Conversion technologies: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Arshadi M
(2016)
Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain
in Green Chemistry
Azeredo H
(2016)
Crosslinking in polysaccharide and protein films and coatings for food contact - A review
in Trends in Food Science & Technology
Azeredo H
(2015)
Wheat straw hemicellulose films as affected by citric acid
in Food Hydrocolloids
Azeredo HM
(2016)
Development of pectin films with pomegranate juice and citric acid.
in Food chemistry
Balu AM
(2012)
Valorisation of orange peel residues: waste to biochemicals and nanoporous materials.
in ChemSusChem
Bitter H
(2017)
Bio-based chemicals: general discussion.
in Faraday discussions
Canali M
(2016)
Food Waste Drivers in Europe, from Identification to Possible Interventions
in Sustainability
| Description | 1) Using novel rapid throughput methods, we have definitively demonstrated that variation in wheat straw biomass quality is highly dependent on the varietal ratios of key organs e.g. leaf and stem. This provides relevant knowledge for downstream breeding strategies. 2) Further development of the rapid throughput methods have enabled us to screen a range of phenotypic characteristics of the National Collection of Yeast Cultures (ongoing). This work has resulted in several patent filings (not yet published). 3) This has also resulted in uplift activities including: (a) visiting researchers from Vietnam working on rice straw variation (in collaboration with University of York); (b) BBSRC Newton fund project with Vietnam (in collaboration with University of York) (c) EMBRAPA (Brazil) LABEX partnership for 3 years; (d) BBSRC Newton fund project with EMBRAPA (Brazil); (e) Co-directorship of BBSRC NIBB "FoodWasteNet" (f) Two NIBB-funded Proof of Concept grants and one Business Innovation Voucher in collaboration with several industries; (g) Two substantial Innovate UK projects on waste stream exploitation (with large/key industry players) (h) 4 PhD studentships (i) BBSRC IBTI project (in collaboration with Prof. Ian Bancroft at Univ. York) (j) Local (Norwich Research Park) Translational Fund project (awarded, post appointed) (k) Two large-scale EU project FUSIONS and REFRESH which are leading to further international collaborations and advice to policy makers; (l) BBSRC DRINC project (m) Continuation of the Total Food series of international conferences on the exploitation of agri-food chain residues (n) Founding membership of the BioPilotsUK Consortium of Biorefinery Research Facilities in the UK (IFR is the southern-most located facility). (o) circa 15 visiting students on e.g. Erasmus funding. (p) BBSRC-funded sLoLa in collaboration with (and coordinated by) Professor Ian Bancroft at University of York (q) Co Directorship of the Norwich Research Park Industrial Biotechnology Alliance (Director, Prof. Anne Osbourn |
| Exploitation Route | Research outcomes are continually made available to both collaborators and other groups through a wide range of dissemination and communication activities and we regularly take advantage of resulting interest through joint research proposals. It is important to note that in the future, benefits will arise mainly from the use of our published literature. Although financially and scientifically sustainable, the Biorefinery Centre and its ongoing externally-funded research projects have been closed and its core staff have been made redundant as of 31st March 2018. This is a strategic decision made by the new Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) which grew out of the old IFR, |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Education,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://www.biorefinerycentre.org/ |
| Description | As indicated in other parts of this form, many externally funded projects have resulted from this on-going work, including fundamental and applied research, both national and international. Future research was to continue to be closely linked with the UK National Collection of Yeast Cultures national capability. Other outcomes such as large DEFRA funded studies (HOOCH project and others) are not included in the Research Fish exercise and thus are not represented as successes. It is important to note that in the future, benefits will arise mainly from the use of our published literature. Although financially and scientifically sustainable, the Biorefinery Centre and its ongoing externally-funded research projects have been closed and its core staff have been made redundant as of 31st March 2018. This is a strategic decision made by the new Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) which grew out of the old IFR, |
| First Year Of Impact | 2007 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Education,Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Global Food Security Programme report - Food waste within global food systems |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| URL | http://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/assets/pdfs/food-waste-report.pdf |
| Description | Industrial Biotechnology Process Plant Study |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a national consultation |
| URL | http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/about/policies/reviews/scientific-areas/1503-industrial-biotechnology-process... |
| Description | Input to BIS roadmap to high value bioeconomy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/408940/BIS-15-146_Bioecono... |
| Description | Transition to responsibly sourced growing media within UK Horticulture |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan |
| Description | Waste Opportunities: stimulating a bioeconomy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| URL | http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and-technology-comm... |
| Description | Call for sustainable UK horticulture |
| Amount | £161,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2015 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | EU Horizon 2020 |
| Amount | £990,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 07/2015 |
| End | 06/2019 |
| Description | FOODWASTENET NIBB Business Innovation Voucher |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2015 |
| End | 10/2015 |
| Description | FOODWASTENET NIBB Proof of Concept Grant |
| Amount | £32,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 02/2016 |
| Description | Innovate UK |
| Amount | £141,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2015 |
| End | 10/2016 |
| Description | LBNET NIBB |
| Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2016 |
| End | 10/2016 |
| Description | Network in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy |
| Amount | £78,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Description | Newton |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2015 |
| End | 06/2017 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Translational Fund |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Norwich Research Park |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Description | Walsh Fellowships |
| Amount | £95,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2016 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | sLoLA |
| Amount | £551,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2014 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Title | Improved bioethanol yield from waste paper |
| Description | Waste paper, particularly shredded paper that cannot be recycled, has effectively been pre-treated, with much of the lignocellulosic structure broken down allowing researchers at IFR to produce high concentrations of bioethanol for the first time matching the yields obtained from first generation biofuels. A specialised pilot bioreactor able to mix the material needed to be used. Adding the paper in batches also allowed digestion to occur, preventing the material from becoming too thick. Enzymes were then used to break down the complex carbohydrates (saccharification) to simple sugars that yeast ferments into ethanol. After an initial enzyme treatment, further saccharification feeds sugars into yeast fermentation simultaneously. This, along with the mixing and the batch addition of paper waste keeps the bioreactor working steadily and a final ethanol yield of 11.6% - as high as that in current commercial biofuel production and higher than any other reported yields from paper or paper pulp waste streams.. The researchers believe that there is considerable room to improve on this figure even more, by optimising batch addition regimes and the initial enzyme concentrations (which are low to reduce input costs). Different yeast strains may convert sugars to ethanol more efficiently, for example heat-tolerant yeasts may be better suited the exact conditions in this set-up. The researchers are working with the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, a BBSRC-supported National Capability based at IFR, to investigate this. |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Not known |
| URL | https://quadram.ac.uk/waste-paper-biofuels/ |
| Title | Improvements in or relating to printing biological compositions as microarrays |
| Description | Plant cell wall (PCW) composition determines the nature and quality of many biologically derived products and, therefore, is a major target for genetic improvement. However, the identities and functions of many genes involved in PCW synthesis are still not known. Genome-wide association mapping studies (GWAS) are one of the few ways to identify these genes. However, collecting precise and quantitative PCW phenotype data at the scale required for GWAS is a significant challenge. We have demonstrated that high-density carbohydrate microarrays can be used as a PCW phenotyping strategy suitable for GWAS. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The results obtained using this method will aid in the understanding of PCW genetics and crop breeding for improved PCW composition. |
| URL | http://www.pnas.org/content/114/26/6860 |
| Title | Methodology for enabling high-throughput simultaneous saccharification and fermentation screening of yeast using solid biomass as a substrate |
| Description | High-throughput (HTP) screening is becoming an increasingly useful tool for collating biological data which would otherwise require the employment of excessive resources. Second generation biofuel production is one such process. HTP screening allows the investigation of large sample sets to be undertaken with increased speed and cost effectiveness. This paper outlines a methodology that will enable solid lignocellulosic substrates to be hydrolyzed and fermented at a 96-well plate scale, facilitating HTP screening of ethanol production, whilst maintaining repeatability similar to that achieved at a larger scale. The results showed that utilizing sheets of biomass of consistent density (handbills), for paper, and slurries of pretreated biomass that could be pipetted allowed standardized and accurate transfers to 96-well plates to be achieved (±3.1 and 1.7%, respectively). Processing these substrates by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) at various volumes showed no significant difference on final ethanol yields, either at standard shake flask (200 mL), universal bottle (10 mL) or 96-well plate (1 mL) scales. Substrate concentrations of up to 10% (w/v) were trialled successfully for SSFs at 1 mL volume. The methodology was successfully tested by showing the effects of steam explosion pretreatment on both oilseed rape and wheat straws. This methodology could be used to replace large shake flask reactions with comparatively fast 96-well plate SSF assays allowing for HTP experimentation. Additionally this method is compatible with a number of standardized assay techniques such as simple colorimetric, High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Furthermore this research has practical uses in the biorefining of biomass substrates for second generation biofuels and novel biobased chemicals by allowing HTP SSF screening, which should allow selected samples to be scaled up or studied in more detail. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Not known |
| URL | https://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13068-014-0181-z |
| Description | Catalysis for exploitation of food wastes |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Department | School of Life and Health Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Development of ideas and research proposals |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of expertise in catalysis |
| Impact | FoodWasteNet Proof of Concept Project Newton Grant (Vietnam collaboration) - terminated at QIB due to closure of the Biorefinery Centre. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of York |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Department | Department of Biology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The QIB Biorefinery Centre has provided expertise in the development and implementation of rapid throughput screening facilities for phenotyping plant and microbial organisms. This includes RTP simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, applicable to biomass exploitation, and recent advances in glycomics (published in PNAS!). |
| Collaborator Contribution | With Prof Ian Bancroft, Prof Simon McQueen-Mason, and Prof. James Clarke (Green Chemistry), we have successfully secured a number of collaborative research grants which has led to published outcomes and further research proposals. Much of this work is focused on UK-industry impact and international impact. |
| Impact | A number of multidisciplinary research publications in refereed journals, a number of further research proposals. The collaboration has ceased due to closure of the Biorefinery Centre at QIB. The disciplines involved include: phenotyping strategies, genome-wide association studies. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Developing feedstock and products for straw-based biorefineries |
| Organisation | Government of Vietnam |
| Country | Viet Nam |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Hosted visiting research student from Vietnam to work on the conversion of rice straw to biofuels. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of York were the holders of the BBSRC Grant and funded the student visit. |
| Impact | One paper published One or possibly 2 research papers are being written. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Developing feedstock and products for straw-based biorefineries |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hosted visiting research student from Vietnam to work on the conversion of rice straw to biofuels. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of York were the holders of the BBSRC Grant and funded the student visit. |
| Impact | One paper published One or possibly 2 research papers are being written. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | EMBRAPA - Biorefinery Centre LABEX programme |
| Organisation | Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration has been terminated due to the closure of the Biorefinery Centre at QIB. Initially, EMBRAPA (Brazilian science and research funding body) identified the IFR (then QIB) Biorefinery Centre as a highly relevant collaborator as part of their international LABEX programme. The QIB contributed expertise, facilities (Biorefinery small pilot plant and steam explosion) and experience to the collaboration. Initially, the Biorefinery Centre at QIB was host to a 2 year visiting post doctoral research scientist from 2013-2015 (Henriette Azeredo) along with a number of Brazilian visiting PhD students. This has resulted in about 6 research publications and further collaboration via a BBSRC-funded Newton Programme grant (also terminated in 2017). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Post doctoral scientist to collaborate with us in Norwich on the production of films and composites from waste biomass. A number of papers have been published. Under the BBSRC Newton Programme Grant, further researchers would have been hosted during the 2017-2019 period and visits were expected to be made by UK scientists to the Brazilian laboratories. |
| Impact | Publications (6) in refereed journals A follow-on NEWTON grant to extend interactions with EMBRAPA (terminated due to closure of the Biorefinery Centre at QIB). |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Growing media development for industry |
| Organisation | ADAS |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The IFR is providing mathematical modelling expertise in the development of sustainable, high quality growing media for the horticultural industry. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research output as reported in confidential and public project reports. |
| Impact | Confidential reports and preliminary models for industrial assessment. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Adnams plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Bulrush Horticulture Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | G.R.Wright & Sons Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | John Innes Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Lotus Engineering Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Department | School of Biological Sciences UEA |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | HOOCH partnership |
| Organisation | Vireol plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | IFR coordinated the HOOCH project and worked closely with all of the partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration with all the partners was developed during the HOOCH project funded by DEFRA from 2007-2012. Vireol plc provided advice and guidance in the field of chemical engineering and process design and CAPEX as well as investment estimates. G.R. Wrights provide samples of bran for experimentation |
| Impact | The results from the project have been filed as a patent. Several publications are being prepared. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Multi-lateral partnership examining the exploitation of waste paper crumble |
| Organisation | Lenzing Fibers Grimsby Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Professor Waldron acted as Project Leader for this successful Innovate UK project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a confidential project. |
| Impact | This is confidential. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Multi-lateral partnership examining the exploitation of waste paper crumble |
| Organisation | Palm Paper Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Professor Waldron acted as Project Leader for this successful Innovate UK project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a confidential project. |
| Impact | This is confidential. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Multi-lateral partnership examining the exploitation of waste paper crumble |
| Organisation | Vireol plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Professor Waldron acted as Project Leader for this successful Innovate UK project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a confidential project. |
| Impact | This is confidential. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Nutritional impact of plant structure |
| Organisation | King's College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of expertise in elucidating plant structure, and use of the IFR Model Gut system for in vitro digestion studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of expertise in digestion of plant-based foods, mathematical modelling, and in-vivo studies. |
| Impact | A number of research papers. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | UK East Coast Biorefining |
| Organisation | Vireol plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in biorefining, conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals, pilot plant facilities and expertise, yeast biology and fermentation expertise (with NCYC) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Industrial strategic investment projects. |
| Impact | Previous HOOCH project (see HOOCH collaboration) with other partners. DTP ICase studentship now with University of East Anglia Completed Innovate UK project on paper waste exploitation (with Palm Paper). |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Title | Increased protein content of processed grain or seed biomass |
| Description | Confidential at present |
| IP Reference | GB1607916.2 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Confidential at present |
| Title | Method and kit for producing plant growth medium by composting |
| Description | Method for creating plant growth medium by composting. |
| IP Reference | WO2008084210 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Development of business plans for biorefining of biomass to fuels |
| Title | Methods of producing sugars for bio-alcohol production and a plant growth medium |
| Description | Waldron, K.W., Ryden, P. and Wilson, D. (2014) Methods of producing sugars for bio-alcohol production and a plant growth medium . [GB2507760] |
| IP Reference | GB2507760 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Contributes to the developing IP portfolio of the Biorefinery Centre and NCYC at IFR. |
| Title | Yeast screening: application number |
| Description | confidential |
| IP Reference | GB1613379.5 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | confidential |
| Description | 19th Annual F.O. Licht's World Ethanol & Biofuels conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Keith Waldron gave an invited presentation on 'Markets and Value Added Products for Distillers' to the 19th Annual F.O. Licht's World Ethanol & Biofuels conference in Brussels (7-10 November 2016) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Careers event - Sir John Leman High School, Beccles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Adam Elliston participated in a Post 16 Destinations Day careers event at the Sir John Leman High School, Beccles, Suffolk on 10 Nov 2015 to raise awareness of career opportunities in science and technology. Approximately 150 pupils attended the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Debate - Delivering the Agri-Tech Strategy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron took part in a debate - Delivering the Agri-Tech Strategy -improving the quality and productivity of the UK food production and processing sectors - organised by The Foundation for Science and Technology at The Royal Society, London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.foundation.org.uk/Events/pdf/20140521_Summary.pdf |
| Description | Fascination of Plants Day 2015 (John Innes Centre, Norwich) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The John Innes Centre opened its doors to over 300 local school children on 15 May 2015 to celebrate the 3rd International Fascination of Plants Day - just one of over 1000 events in over 55 countries! Pupils from years 5 to 8 and years 9 to 11 participated in a lively mix of workshops, talks and hands-on activities and demonstrations over a 2.5 hour period. Members of the Waldron research group organised activities on the themes of biofuels and oilseeds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/whats-on/events/2015/05/school-event-fascination-of-plants-day/ |
| Description | First Food Chemistry Conference - Shaping the Future of Food Quality, Health and Safety |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Keith Waldron gave an invited presentation to the First Food Chemistry Conference in Amsterdam. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Friends of JIC Event: Bioenergy Dialogue |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Three of the BBSRC institutes, John Innes Centre, Institute of Food Research and Rothamsted Research presented aspects of their current and previous bioenergy research programmes to a Friends of JIC-organised event. This was followed by a dialogue event discussing the audience's hopes and concerns about the future of bioenergy. This formed part of a national dialogue commissioned by BBSRC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/whats-on/events/2014/02/friends-of-jic-event-bioenergy-dialogue/ |
| Description | IFST Spring Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Professor Keith Waldron gave an invited presentation on 'Food chain wastes to fuels and chemicals' to the IFST Spring Conference at the National Motorcycle Museum, West Midlands. This generated enquiries at the IFR display stand manned by the IFR Business & Communications staff. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Invited talk - Norwich Engineering Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron gave an invited talk on biorefining to members of the Norwich Engineering Society on 10 Feb 2014. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.engineeringsociety.co.uk/index.php |
| Description | Pre-conference workshop at The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & The Bioeconomy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Keith Waldron gave an invited presentation 'Conversion of agrifood chain wastes to ingredients, fuels and chemicals' to the Biowaste to value: how can policy makers help? pre-conference workshop at the 9th Annual European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.efibforum.com |
| Description | Presentation on agrifood chain waste to Hainan Provincial Agriculture Department |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with Hainan Provincial Agriculture Department to explore potential collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Public engagement - Wymondham U3A |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 20 members of the Wymondham group of U3A visited the NRP Biorefinery Centre on 12 Feb 2015 for a tour and to learn more about the biorefining of agri-food chain wastes. The audience were very interested and were previously unaware of these activities on the Norwich Research Park. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Radio broadcast - BBC Radio Four Farming Today |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron gave a radio interview on 16 Oct 2013 for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme on the work of the IFR Biorefinery Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Radio broadcast - BBC Radio Norfolk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron gave a BBC Radio Norfolk interview on 14 August 2013 following a NFU media release about UK self-sufficiency in food production. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Radio broadcast - BBC World Service |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron prepared a radio broadcast for the BBC World Service focussed on the Total Food 2014 conference and the work of the Biorefinery Centre on 13 November 2014. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Radio interview on lignocellulose (BBC Radio Norfolk Matthew Gudgin Show) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron gave a radio interview on lignocellulose and agri-food chain waste on the BBC Radio Norfolk Matthew Gudgeon Show on 25 February 2014. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | School visit (Norwich High School for Girls) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Students from Years 7 and 8 visited the IFR to learn more about the research activities carried out by both the IFR Biorefinery and National Collection of Yeast Cultures. The visit proved a great success. It certainly generated plenty of discussion as well as ideas for further school visits in the future to help promote the collaborative work being carried out by the IFR Biorefinery and NCYC research groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | TV broadcast - Channel 4 Food Unwrapped |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Ricochet (TV production company) visited IFR with presenter Jimmy Doherty to film for a new series of Food Unwrapped for Channel 4. They were interested in biorefining and the various forms of commercial yeast and how the yeasts are suited to their role in producing particular fermented products. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.channel4.com/programmes/food-unwrapped/ |
| Description | TV interview - BBC The Politics Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keith Waldron gave a TV interview for BBC's Politics Show on 20 October 2013 on the work of the IFR Biorefinery Centre and the subject of biofuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Talk to Stalham Farmers Club |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Professor Keith Waldron gave an invited talk on adding value to farm crops to members of the Stalham Farmers' Club (Host: Michael Pollitt, former EDP Agriculture Editor). The club, founded in 1841, organises a series of regular talks from leading speakers in the agricultural industry. The talk generated a further press article in the local newspaper (http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/farming/norwich-scientists-are-making-useful-chemicals-from-farm-waste-1-5320683). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.stalhamfarmers.co.uk/news.aspx |
| Description | Thetford Probus Club visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 16 members of the Thetford Probus (Professional and Business) Club made a half day visit to IFR including a tour of the Biorefinery Centre. Group members were very interested and enthusiastic asking many questions during their visit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Total Food 2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This three day event provided an open forum to highlight recent developments and to facilitate knowledge transfer between representatives of the agri-food industries, scientific research community, legal experts on food related legislation and waste management, and consumer organisations. Themes explored ranged from the adding of value to co-products through to the recovery of energy from waste streams. The conference was organised by staff from the Biorefinery Centre at the Institute of Food Research & University of York in collaboration with the COST Action Network TD1203 Food waste valorisation for sustainable chemicals, materials and fuels (EUBis). The proceedings of the Total Food 2014 conference were published as a Special Issue of the journal Food Chemistry (Volume 198, 1 May 2016). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.ifr.ac.uk/totalfood2014/ |
| Description | UEA Undergraduate student visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Thirty undergraduate students from the UEA School of Biological Sciences visited the NRP Biorefinery Centre on 30 Sep 2015 for a tour and to learn about the biorefining of agri-food chain wastes. The students were previously unaware of this activity on the Norwich Research Park. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Visit by UEA undergraduate students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 30 undergraduate students from the UEA School of Biological Sciences visited IFR for a presentation and tour of the Biorefinery Centre. The students were previously unaware of this activity on the Norwich Research Park |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Wheat Biorefinery: total exploitation of wheat biomass The Alcohol School 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Wheat Biorefinery: presentation on the total exploitation of wheat biomass The Alcohol School 2015 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |