Biotechnology through Innovation and Impact
As we begin to realise the human impact on the natural world, biotechnology has become an ever-growing field with solutions to transform our modern lives, making it more sustainable for the future. It is finding these solutions that drive innovation with sustainability at its heart, solving complex challenges but also opening up new possibilities.
The most significant challenges facing our society today range from climate change, sustainable chemicals, novel ingredients, to green energy
How can biotechnology answer these challenges?
Biotechnology as an industrial powerhouse is still in its infancy but has been utilised by mankind spanning thousands of years of human history. As human civilisations have flourished, so have advancements in fermentation, feeding, and fueling cultures and our ever-growing population into the societies we have today.
Fermentation is the foundation of Biotechnology, utilising modified microorganisms as cell factories for the production of fuel, proteins, polymers, food ingredients, petrochemical replacements, and much more.
By optimising through genetic modification, we can harness the fastidious nature of microorganisms to transform organic and waste feedstocks into commodities and valuable products, creating a circular economy – closing the loop.
Why do we need a circular economy?
Circular economies are a concept whereby industries reuse and regenerate used /spent materials into new products. Waste streams are of particular interest where we can utilise waste for valorisation, ensuring waste does not go into the environment but is instead reused to make valuable products of interest. By tackling these environmental issues, we can pave the way to a sustainable way of life, leading to new processes for green growth and resilience.
Right now, the most significant challenge facing biotechnology as an industry is production processes as well as ensuring efficient and high product yields. Currently, the viability of a scaled-up and optimised fermentation process is dependent on its ability to meet market demands.
However, Impact Solutions is paving the way with our expertise and experience, with several active projects across several industries and institutions that explore waste valorisation, biotechnology scaling-up solutions, recycling technologies, and are confident in championing a circular economy for Scotland and the wider UK.
