Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, investors, policymakers and researchers we will identify practical pathways for accelerating the commercialisation of bio-based chemicals in the UK. Participants will examine the technical, economic and regulatory barriers to scale-up, explore opportunities for shared infrastructure and strategic investment, and discuss how engineering biology can contribute to a more resilient, low-carbon and globally competitive chemicals sector.
The UK chemicals sector underpins modern life, supplying materials essential for food, healthcare, defence, energy, consumer care, packaging and textiles. Yet it remains heavily dependent on virgin fossil carbon, contributing around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and exposing supply chains to volatility and geopolitical risk. Defossilising chemical manufacturing is therefore both an economic and strategic imperative.
Engineering Biology (EB) offers one of the most credible routes to replace fossil-derived feedstocks with renewable, circular alternatives. The UK has invested over £450m in EB research since 2018 and has a genuinely world-leading science base. However, this strength is not translating into commercial-scale manufacturing at the pace required. Bio-based chemicals are still typically 2–7x more expensive than fossil incumbents, scale-up infrastructure is fragmented, and promising UK innovations are often commercialised overseas.
This event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, investors, policymakers and researchers to identify practical pathways for accelerating the commercialisation of bio-based chemicals in the UK. Participants will examine the technical, economic and regulatory barriers to scale-up, explore opportunities for shared infrastructure and strategic investment, and discuss how engineering biology can contribute to a more resilient, low-carbon and globally competitive chemicals sector.
The discussion will focus on actionable recommendations across feedstocks, manufacturing technologies, infrastructure, finance and market development, with the aim of strengthening the UK’s position as a destination for sustainable chemical manufacturing.
This event is aimed at industry specialists, policy makers and senior academics. To register visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ibic/2261580
