STREAM 1: Park Royal PBIAA Net-Zero Food Supply Chains
Lead Research Organisation:
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON
Department Name: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
Park Royal is one of the largest employment sites in the UK, with 1,700 businesses, employing 40,000 people, 5.3% of West London's workforce, and producing 30% of London's food. Furthermore, the cluster contains firms that face all the technological challenges exhibited within the UK food system as a whole.
Brunel has worked with its civic partner West London Business, and with its HE partner Harper Adams University, to co-create a programme of work that focusses on the innovation challenges of the food manufacturing and distribution sector in Park Royal. This has included presentations at events of the Park Royal Business Group (which is run by West London Business) and individual meetings with its members, as well as several meetings with strategic partners in West London, that helped define the focus of activities and identify the most effective delivery mechanisms.
With the networks we had already established, and the key stakeholders engaged during the co-creation process, the project will drive the uptake of net-zero technologies across the estate, build projects between businesses that create circular economies and exploit industrial symbiosis, whilst acting as an exemplar and flagship for the UK food and drink sector as a whole.
Brunel has worked with its civic partner West London Business, and with its HE partner Harper Adams University, to co-create a programme of work that focusses on the innovation challenges of the food manufacturing and distribution sector in Park Royal. This has included presentations at events of the Park Royal Business Group (which is run by West London Business) and individual meetings with its members, as well as several meetings with strategic partners in West London, that helped define the focus of activities and identify the most effective delivery mechanisms.
With the networks we had already established, and the key stakeholders engaged during the co-creation process, the project will drive the uptake of net-zero technologies across the estate, build projects between businesses that create circular economies and exploit industrial symbiosis, whilst acting as an exemplar and flagship for the UK food and drink sector as a whole.
Organisations
- BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON (Lead Research Organisation)
- Phyona Ltd (Collaboration)
- Brunel University London (Collaboration)
- HG Walter (Project Partner)
- OPDC (Project Partner)
- Plus X (Project Partner)
- Yoyo Kitchens Ltd (Project Partner)
- SEGRO PLC (Project Partner)
- West London Waste Authority (WLWA) (Project Partner)
- West London Business Ltd (Project Partner)
- Jane Milton Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Coca-Cola European Partners (Project Partner)
- West London Chambers (Project Partner)
- Charlie Bighams (Project Partner)
- Food & Drink Federation (Project Partner)
Publications
Anguilano L
(2025)
Sustainable raw materials for food packaging
Pisica I
(2025)
Data & energy demand analysis
Rodgers G.J.
(2025)
Report on projects in the PBIAA programme since February 2024
Stojceska V
(2025)
Improving Sustainability in the Production Processes of Tortillas
Stojceska V
(2025)
Sustainability through Food Waste Minimisation - Case Study in a Tortilla Industry
in Sustainability through Food Waste Minimisation - Case Study in a Tortilla Industry
| Description | Sustainable raw materials for food packaging |
| Organisation | Phyona Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Examined the feasibility of using silver-bearing minerals deriving from phytomining of contaminated soils (use of plants for metal-bearing compounds) as a source of silver for the production of functionalised silver nanoparticles to be embedded in polymeric packaging to increase the shelf-life of food products. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Technical support and advice as well as equipment. |
| Impact | At this stage no outputs have been prepared. The partners are in discussion for patents and papers, these will be completed in the next quarter. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Understanding attitudes towards, and community engagement with, the net zero agenda. What interventions are needed at the local level to address inequalities in the ability of people and communities to transition to low carbon living? |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project included analysis of existing national policies on low carbon-living and provided suggestions on how inequalities could be addressed in this context. This project has resulted in two papers in progress targeted to academic journals for publishing. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The project involved one principle academic investigator and seven other Brunel University of London Investigators. Academic expertise, advice and contribution to analyse the data. |
| Impact | This project has resulted in two papers in progress targeted to academic journals for publishing. The papers are: 1. (Work in progress - not yet submitted) Manika, D., Ozbilgin, M., Mansfield, L., Ashdown-Franks, G., Abdelsayed, K.M., Tassou, S.A. & Rodgers, G.J. "How does the adoption of low carbon living behaviour differ among sociodemographic groups and why?" targeted to Journal of Business Ethics 2. (Work in progress - not yet submitted) Manika, D., Kretsos, L., Mansfield, L., Arya, D., Ahmed, J., Tassou, S.A. & Rodgers, G.J. "What policies and/or interventions are needed to promote low carbon living behaviour amongst sociodemographic groups?" targeted to Research Policy. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Brunel Research Festival 2024 and Internal Launch of Park Royal Net Zero Food Systems Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Academic experts from Brunel University of London and Harper Adams University shared invaluable insights on the 'Park Royal Net Zero' programme, overview of the sector challenges, case study examples from the food sector and insights into applying research to the food industry. Some strategies for undertaking projects within the programme along with access to funding also were discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Innovation Zero 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We hosted an exhibition stand to showcase our programme to the public. The event attracted numerous business leaders, government officials, funders, and innovators, who engaged with us through various questions and inquiries about the project. The event was highly successful in generating interest and significantly enhanced our understanding of institutional efforts to accelerate global emissions reduction. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.innovationzero.com/ |
| Description | Park Royal Business Group Breakfast Forum Theme: Sustainable Food Supply Chains |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Park Royal Business Group Breakfast Forums provide an excellent opportunity to network and discuss important issues with fellow businesses from Park Royal and beyond, all while enjoying a cooked breakfast, tea, and coffee. Joined the forum in person to hear about and discuss key considerations in establishing sustainable food supply chains for Park Royal food and drink manufacturers. Also, explored potential future emerging issues, strategic interventions, and solutions, with insightful inputs from guest speakers within Park Royal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Park Royal Business Group Leaders' Supper |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Park Royal Business Group Leaders' Supper provided an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow business leaders and innovators in the food and drink sector. We forged lasting connections over supper and drinks while discussing strategies to address supply chain carbon emissions and environmental impacts within the industry. Following the event, we received a few enquiries and increased interest in the programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Park Royal Net Zero External Launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Attendees gained valuable insights into the Park Royal Net-Zero Food Systems programme and how we can support the food and drink industries in their transformation towards net zero. The Programme's Co-Investigator and Principal Investigator shared information about Brunel University of London, the Place-Based Impact Accelerator, and how to access funding. A representative from EPSRC discussed their approach to Place, while our Civic Partner provided an overview of West London and Park Royal. Academics from Brunel University of London and Harper Adams University presented on energy and food-related research. Additionally, insights were shared on how Innovate UK Business Connect can assist businesses through connections, cash, and collaboration. Panelists from food and drink businesses discussed the challenges facing the food sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Sustainable Foods Conference 2025 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We set up an exhibition stand to showcase our programme, engaging with food and drink businesses attending the event. This interaction generated several relevant leads and further inquiries about the programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.sustainablefoodsevent.com/ |
| Description | Workshop - Food and Drink on Park Royal: Action Planning for Circular Economies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Food and Drink on Park Royal: Action Planning for Circular Economies workshop, part of the Park Royal Net-Zero Food Systems initiative, brought together leading experts from Brunel University London, Harper Adams University, and The Food and Drink Federation to address critical sustainability challenges. The workshop aimed to explore and tackle research and development issues identified through engagement with the food and drink industry at Park Royal, fostering collaborative brainstorming to achieve net-zero goals. Key Focus Areas: Energy Efficiency, Waste Valorisation, Scope 3 Emissions. Participants engaged in interactive discussions and a Sandpit activity to brainstorm innovative solutions, with opportunities to develop these ideas into funding proposals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |