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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	BB/L013819/1
Title	A Network of Integrated Technologies: Plants to Products
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Not Energy Related 50%; Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes)) 50%;
Research Types	Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields	BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 80%; BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science) 20%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 50%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions) 25%; Other (Energy technology information dissemination) 25%;
Principal Investigator	Prof DJ (David ) Leak No email address given Biology and Biochemistry University of Bath
Award Type	Research Grant
Funding Source	BBSRC
Start Date	10 February 2014
End Date	09 February 2019
Duration	60 months
Total Grant Value	£639,819
Industrial Sectors	Transport Systems and Vehicles
Region	South West
Programme	Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB)
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Prof DJ (David ) Leak , Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Dr J Gallagher , IBERS, Aberystwyth University (0.001%)
Web Site
Objectives	Who will benefit from this research? Wider Academic Community: The breadth of research areas covered by this Network means our research outputs will be of interest to biochemists, microbiologists, synthesis and systems biologists, synthetic chemists, chemical and process engineers, agronomists, social scientists and economists. To reach these audiences, the PI, CoI, project manager and PDRA involved in Proof of Concept studies will present at a range of forums in addition to subject focused conferences, in order to exemplify the application of specific disciplines (see JoR for specific targets). In addition we will require that the work will be published in high impact subject specific and project focused open-access journals. Generic outputs from this project, such as advances in modelling, new strains, tools and enzymes for metabolic and process engineering will also benefit the wider academic community. Commercial Private Sector: This research has the potential to benefit both commercial producer and user communities. Microbial strains, enzyme, chemical and engineering process methodologies developed here could be used to produce chemical intermediates from a range of renewable feedstocks in a manner which is integrated into pre-treatment. The home grown cereals authority (HGCA) and ABAgri represent major connection points between agricultural suppliers and potential end users and we have agreements from both of these organisations to assist with accessing feedstocks. The Network has very strong industrial representation on the Strategic Advisory Group, Science Management Group and as members of the Network. This represents activities across the biorefinery process chain, including companies interested in process engineering (eg Dynamic extractions, Johnson Matthey), companies interested in exploiting particular fermentation/enzyme technologies (Green Biologics, Celbius) and end user companies interested in particular product applications (P&G, Riverdia, Sasol,Chemoxy). During the project, links to this community will be enhanced through the activities of SAG and engagement with the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum. National and International Perspective: Climate change: A primary driver for the move to producing chemicals from sustainably derived renewables, in preference to fossil fuels, is the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Based on the complete lifecycle of a chemical product, an efficiently operated biorefinery using cellulosic substrates should be able to deliver an 80% reduction in GHG emissions compared to its fossil fuel equivalent, supporting national targets. Green jobs: The UK chemical sector employs thousands of people and generates a trade surplus of around £6.5 billion/annum. However, it faces an enormous challenge to reduce its reliance on petrochemical feedstocks, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and improve sustainability. The successful delivery ofthis projec t will have an impact on delivering green jobs in both producer and user industries within the UK. For the PDRAs, the possibility of interacting with and potentially spending time working with industrialists in the field will give them an excellent perspective of both academic and industrial research environments, that should be invaluable for their future employment prospects.
Abstract	We propose to run a Network focusing on the conversion of plant material, including agricultural by-products and agro-industrial co-products to chemicals and materials. The aim is to overcome barriers to biorefining of feedstocks by optimisation of multi-stream processes through integration of disciplines and exploitation of emerging technologies. In order to do this we have assembled a scientific management group which has expertise across the biorefinery process chain, including industrialists, and a strategy management group comprised of industrialists and other stakeholders (suppliers and end-users), together with an multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, modellers, social scientists, environmental and life cycle analysts, which comprises the initial Network. We believe that the route to tackling current technical and commercial bottlenecks in developing a sustainable process for producing chemicals from biomass based renewables lies in effective communication between disciplines. Therefore, the initial activities of the network will focus on a desk-based scoping study and meeting to establish the capabilities and perceptions of the Network and the focal points that we need to address. This will be followed up with a call for funding of Proof of Concept projects to address the key issues, ideally in an inter-disciplinary manner. These projects will be highly targeted and funded in 3 waves, allowing the second wave to address issues under-represented in the first wave of awards and, if necessary, the final tranche to be used for commissioning specific projects. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the necessary information, contacts and skills to be able to be effective in applications for further funding through eg Catalyst, 20/20 Horizon and similar national and international programme. This strategic approach has the potential to make a step change in biorefinery processes, benefitting the UK economy and employment in the IB sector.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	01/12/14