Top 10 – Updates, strategies and policies to look out for in 2022

18/01/2022

Here, we list 10 exciting updates, strategies and policies that will be published or will come into force this year.

Business Plans for the Shikifactory100 Project

14/12/2021

NNFCC is tasked with producing business plans for the most promising results of the Shikifactory100 project. Here we describe the key elements required for a business plan.

NNFCC to support the UK’s £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio

10/12/2021

Press release: NNFCC to support the UK’s £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio

NNFCC Christmas Wishlist 2021

01/12/2021

Top 10 - NNFCC's biobased Christmas Wishlist for 2021.

COP26 - The outcomes

26/11/2021

This short articles summarises the key outcomes of this year's COP26 in Glasgow.

BBIA Workshop Policy Recommendations

26/11/2021

Climate Change and the Role of Biobased and Biodegradable Materials.

Biomass policy statement: a strategic view on the role of sustainable biomass for net-zero

16/11/2021

On 4th November, the UK Government set out the strategic aims for the role of biomass across the economy in the short, medium and long term to deliver net zero.

Biomass Availability

09/11/2021

This report takes a look at biomass availability with a focus on the UK – what feedstocks are available for various applications within the bioeconomy, with detail as to quantities and other considerations affecting availability.

Net Zero Strategy - 2021

28/10/2021

On the 19th October, the government published its Net Zero Strategy outlining the country's path to its 2050 net zero target.

Heat and Building Strategy - 2021

28/10/2021

On the 19th October, the government published its Heat and Building Strategy outlining the country's path to decarbonising it's heating sector.

Round-up of non-food crop activity in the UK: construction materials

20/10/2021

This article aims to summarise which non-food crops are currently being grown in the UK to serve as construction materials, with a particular focus on hemp, Miscanthus and flax.

Green Gas Support Scheme – Coming soon!

20/10/2021

On the 30th November, the government is set to launch its new Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS), which will provide support for the production of biomethane for grid injection, from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of biological feedstocks.

UK Green Claims Code

18/10/2021

This article summarises the new Green Claims Code established in the UK by the The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Hydrogen for bioenergy in the UK

07/10/2021

This article summarises how hydrogen is produced and outlines its uses for bioenergy. The article also provides a summary of support schemes that are available in the UK and which intend to develop the hydrogen market.

NNFCC is recruiting!

06/10/2021

NNFCC is hiring! We are seeking high quality candidates for short term Research Analyst and Senior Research Analyst positions. Closing date for applications is 4th November.

OECD workshop proceeding

13/09/2021

“Carbon management policies: Global practices in sustainability indicators and assessment”, an OECD Workshop Proceedings

Consusmer Purchasing and Green Claims

13/08/2021

Increasing the amount of biobased products available and broadening the availability of sustainable buying options is all well and good, but understanding how they are received by the public is key to their continued uptake.

Economic impact analysis of the U.S. biobased products industry (2019)

11/08/2021

On the 29th July 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its report highlighting the economic impact of the U.S. biobased products industry.

Updates from the IPCC

10/08/2021

On 9th August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their latest report on Climate Change, building on their previous scientific report from 2013.

Round-up of non-food crop activity in the UK: cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

30/07/2021

This article aims to summarise which non-food crops are currently being grown in the UK to serve the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, with a particular focus on oilseed crops and herbs.

Future Fashion III - Sustainability of synthetic and natural textile dyes

18/06/2021

In this article, we cover conventional synthetic dyes, their compositions, variety and environmental impacts. Subsequently, we explore natural alternatives, reviewing their potential and limitations. Finally, we review the impact that textile colour dyeing is having on water around the world.

Press Release – OLEAF4VALUE

07/06/2021

OLEAF4VALUE: An Innovative Upcycling Project

Consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England

18/05/2021

Defra has released its “Consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England”, aiming to “reduce confusion in the materials that can be collected for recycling at kerbside”.

Life After Meat: The Bioeconomy’s Alternative Protein Sources – Part 3

17/05/2021

After our first and second article on alternative protein sources, we dig a little deeper and take a look at some of the regulatory barriers that some of these alternative proteins may face.

NNFCC Publishes 2021 Edition of Anaerobic Digestion Deployment in the UK Report

29/04/2021

Press Release, 29th April 2021: NNFCC publishes eighth annual ‘AD Deployment in the UK’ report

Future Fashion II - Sustainable alternative animal-derived materials

29/04/2021

This article investigates the sustainability of widely used animal-derived materials for clothes manufacturing (such as leather, silk and fur), detailing current practices and presenting biobased non-animal alternatives.

2021 Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy

13/04/2021

Earlier this month, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) released its full report laying out the strategy that will allow the UK industrial sector to reach its 2050 decarbonisation goal.

RTFO Consultation Update

30/03/2021

DfT sets out its plans to update and extend the remit of the RTFO

The European Circular Bioeconomy Policy Initiative

25/03/2021

NNFCC is a supporter of the ECBPI

Life After Meat: The Bioeconomy’s Alternative Protein Sources – Part 2

23/03/2021

After our first article on alternative protein sources, we dig a little deeper and build up a picture of some of the key players in the industry.

Future Support for Low Carbon Heat

22/03/2021

Last year the UK government consulted on future support for low carbon heat and have now published their response.

Future Fashion I - Sustainable Textiles

02/03/2021

This article investigates the sustainability of widely used natural and synthetic textiles, detailing current practices and when appropriate presenting a range of new technologies from which alternative sustainable biobased textiles could arise.

Environmental Agency consultation for the revision of standard rules permits for biowaste treatment

18/02/2021

The Environment Agency is proposing revisions of the standards permits for biowaste treatment and plastics contamination. A consultation was conducted to gather views on the proposed amendments from stakeholders, public bodies and individuals.

Waste Management Plan and the Bioeconomy

16/02/2021

On 27th January, Defra released its Waste Management Plan for England 2021.

Neonicotinoids - A Subjection of Contention

08/02/2021

The UK Government recently granted emergency authorisation to use neonicotinoids to treat sugar beet seed.

RED II – Going beyond RED I’s achievements

02/02/2021

In December 2018, the revised version of the European Renewable Energy Directive was agreed and published. This article summarises the aspects of the new Directive which affect the sectors of the Bioeconomy.

REAL Research Library

26/01/2021

REAL have announced the completion of the first project of their research hub, ‘The development of a Research Library for the Organics Recycling industry’.

Biogas Steering Group Election Result

26/01/2021

NNFCC Director Lucy Hopwood is a newly elected member of the REA Biogas Steering Group.

Recent Policy in the Run-Up to COP26

14/01/2021

COP26 is to be hosted by the UK in November of this year.

NNFCC Christmas Card and New Year Wishes

18/12/2020

Merry Christmas from NNFCC!

The Ten Point Plan – An Opportunity for the Bioeconomy

17/12/2020

The Ten Point Plan is the UK government’s latest strategy for stimulating a green industrial revolution and working towards the goal of net-zero.

NNFCC Christmas Wishlist 2020

03/12/2020

Top 10 - NNFCC's biobased Christmas Wishlist for 2020.

AD: A Challenging Year, An Exciting Future

30/11/2020

Despite a slow start to the year, the future for AD looks promising.

What's in a name? Plastic definition and legislation

19/11/2020

As a result of recent legislative developments regarding plastic waste management, the importance of clear definitions of plastic becomes apparent.

NNFCC Ltd Announces New Managing Director

30/10/2020

Press Release: NNFCC Ltd Announces New Managing Director

Summary of Government response to CCC 2020 progress report

23/10/2020

Bioenergy-focused summary of the Government response to the Committee on Climate Change’s 2020 progress report to Parliament

NNFCC joins 43 other signatories in open letter to UK government

22/10/2020

NNFCC joins 43 other signatories in open letter to UK government.

NNFCC joins 15 other partners in the newly launched Horizon2020-funded BeonNat project

24/09/2020

BeonNat - Innovative value chains from tree & shrub species grown in marginal lands as a source of biomass for bio-based industries

NNFCC and Covid-19, an Update

31/07/2020

Despite the difficulties we have faced during the covid-19 pandemic, NNFCC is fortunate to have been able to continue with business as usual.

Valorising Agri-Waste

30/07/2020

Agriculture produces an unsustainable amount of waste, so how does the bioeconomy let us derive value from it?

The Shikimate Pathway

08/07/2020

The ShikiFactory100 project seeks to produce high-value compounds from the shikimate pathway, but what is the shikimate pathway?

Synthetic Biology for the Production of Biobased Molecules

06/07/2020

How does synthetic biology technology lead to the production of novel biobased chemicals?

BEIS Consultation on the Future of UK Green Gas Support

01/07/2020

With a week to go in BEIS's consultation, what is being proposed to continue to support UK biomethane for heating?

Life After Meat: the Bioeconomy's Alternative Protein Sources

15/06/2020

Switching to alternative protein sources will reduce emissions associated with meat, but what sources are in development?

Biobased Homecare Products

18/05/2020

Spending more time at home puts more emphasis on cleaning, so here are ten more innvoative biobased cleaning products.

Biofuels: Many possibilities to decarbonise transport

05/05/2020

Biofuels provide a wide variety of decarbonisation options for transport.

Press Release: NNFCC Publishes 2020 Edition of Anaerobic Digestion Deployment in the UK Report

01/05/2020

Press Release, 1st May 2020: NNFCC publishes seventh annual ‘AD Deployment in the UK’ report

Stay informed while staying indoors

27/04/2020

NNFCC's Information Subscription will be free for the duration of the covid-19 lockdown period.

Covid-19 and NNFCC

26/03/2020

We are still open for business as usual during the covid-19 outbreak, with our team working from home.

Blockchain and the Bioeconomy: Potential Bedfellows?

28/02/2020

Blockchain technology is being deployed across a variety of sectors, but how well does it suit the bioeconomy?

Which measures could boost the European bio-based economy?

17/02/2020

Which measures could boost the European bio-based economy?

Our Bioeconomy Christmas List

04/12/2019

Here's what we're hoping for under the tree this year.

Increasing Renewable Content with the Mass Balance Approach

03/12/2019

Where renewable feedstocks are in short supply, the mass balance approach can still give products with high levels of renewable content.

Eight Myths About Plastic: Busted!

03/12/2019

There are many misconceptions about plastic, particularly biobased plastic. Here, we address some of the most common.

Bioeconomy Advent Calendar

01/12/2019

We look back on the bioeconomy's 2019, with a new item every day of Advent.

Biobased Ingredients for the Cosmetics Sector

11/11/2019

The bioeconomy provides the cosmetics sector with a wide variety of sustainable chemical ingredients to improve both performance and environmental impact.

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture: The Key to UK Decarbonisation?

06/11/2019

Does Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) hold the key to the UK's ambitious decarbonisation targets?

NNFCC Produces Bioliquid Heating Report for BEIS

30/10/2019

NNFCC's report for BEIS discusses bioenergy options for heating UK homes that aren't connected to the gas grid.

UK Waste Consultations: Missed Opportunities for the Bioeconomy

07/10/2019

The recent Defra consultations into UK waste collection saw the bioeconomy snubbed.

BioBase4SME Partners formed BioBase4SME Network for further collaboration

16/09/2019

BioBase4SME's partners have formed a collaboration network in the aftermath of the completion of the project.

Press Release: Implications of Imported Used Cooking Oil as Biodiesel Feedstock

15/07/2019

Increasing imports of UCO to the EU for use as biodiesel feedstock could have unintended and significant environmental consequences.

Beyond Food: Animals and the Bioeconomy

08/07/2019

The bioeconomy may be dominated by plant-based processes, but animals also have key roles to play.

What Makes for Successful Innovation?

24/06/2019

Innovation is essential when developing an economy, but what differentiates innovations that make the grade?

Palm Oil: Fuelling Bioeconomy Controversy?

10/06/2019

The EU has deemed palm oil to be too high-risk a feedstock for biofuels production, but what are the risks and benefits associated with it?

Press Release - NNFCC Publishes 2019 Anaerobic Digestion Deployment in the UK Report

30/04/2019

Press Release, 30th April 2019: NNFCC publishes sixth annual ‘AD Deployment in the UK’ report

Biobased Spring Cleaning

09/04/2019

Spring is in the air, so it's time for a spring clean. Here are ten of the foremost biobased cleaning products on the market.

RED II – A Revised Directive Looking to the Future of Renewable Energy

18/03/2019

Though RED II looks ahead to long-term decarbonisation, the bioeconomy can still thrive in the short term.

UK Waste Strategy: Bioeconomy Opportunities Aplenty

25/02/2019

As the UK seeks to manage its waste more sustainably, the bioeconomy stands to benefit from the opportunities this provides.

Biobased Options for Transparent Packaging

22/02/2019

Stäger commissioned a report from NNFCC to assess suitability of biobased and recycled polymers.

Ipsa scientia potestas est

17/01/2019

Broaden your knowledge of the bioeconomy, and stay up to date with NNFCC's News Reviews.

NNFCC Awarded Collaborative Grant to Boost EU Synthetic Biology Competitiveness

14/01/2019

NNFCC joins 10 other partners in the newly launched Horizon2020-funded ShikiFactory100 project.

UK Bioeconomy Strategy: Concrete Policy Largely Absent

19/12/2018

Two years in the making, the UK's bioeconomy strategy is full of optimism, but lacking in policy proposals.

European Bioeconomy Strategy Update: A Necessary Re-focus

03/12/2018

Following a review in 2017, the EU's Bioeconomy Strategy has been updated, to allow progress towards its ambitious goals to be measured.

Bioeconomy Advent Calendar

01/12/2018

We're looking back over an exciting year in the bioeconomy, with a new story every day until Christmas day.

Press Release: Farmers generating biomethane can claim RHI and RTFO payments

28/11/2018

Farmers operating AD plants can now viably maximise biomethane production, benefitting from both the RHI and RTFO support schemes.

Press Release: NNFCC joins Food Waste Coalition

21/11/2018

NNFCC joins Food Waste Coalition and calls on the government to fast track universal food waste collections across England.

Press Release: BioDynamic secures tariff guarantee thanks to NNFCC

10/10/2018

BioDynamic have successfully secured accreditation for their large-scale AD facility in Nottingham, thanks to NNFCC's support

Save the Date: Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy

17/09/2018

The Exclusive Cross-border Matchmaking and Networking Event of the Bio-economy

BioBase4SME: Last Chance for Support

03/09/2018

The final deadline for BioBase4SME support is 31st October 2018.

Top 10 Biobased Summer Products

09/08/2018

It's set to be a long summer, so here's our guide to enjoying it in a biobased way.

UK Launches E10 Consultation

07/08/2018

The DfT has published it's consultation into E10 biofuel in the UK. What are the factors at play?

NNFCC Expands Bioenergy Services

10/07/2018

Come and visit us at UK AD & Biogas Expo and learn why we're recommended for bioenergy services.

Brexit and the Bioeconomy

04/07/2018

With Brexit on the horizon, NNFCC and partners Sustainability Consult take a look at its potential impact on the UK and EU bioeconomy.

Press Release - NNFCC Publishes Annual Anaerobic Digestion Deployment in the UK Report

16/04/2018

Press Release, 16th April 2017: NNFCC publishes fifth annual ‘AD Deployment in the UK’ report

Big Bioeconomy Challenges - Part 3

16/03/2018

In this series of articles we will discuss some of the global challenges that the bioeconomy provides solutions for.

Big Bioeconomy Challenges - Part 2

08/03/2018

In this series of articles we will discuss some of the global challenges that the bioeconomy provides solutions for.

Big Bioeconomy Challenges - Part 1

26/02/2018

In this series of articles we will discuss some of the global challenges that the bioeconomy provides solutions for.

How to Communicate Sustainability?

15/02/2018

Sustainability can be subtle and difficult to communicate, so BioBase4SME is offering training in just that.

Government Response to RHI Consultation

30/01/2018

BEIS has published its response to Chapter 2 of the September 2017 RHI consultation, clarifying eligible uses for renewable heat.

Our Biobased Christmas List

18/12/2017

Here are some biobased products we're hoping we get under the tree this Christmas.