IndiNature secures £104,000 biotech grant
As the University of Edinburgh’s industrial partner, IndiNature has secured a £104,000 biotech grant for its biotech team.
This is for a 4 year doctoral project to scale the company’s biotech ‘glue’ made at lab scale from agri-waste. IndiNature uses that biotech ‘glue’ to make its bio-based insulation.
The grant, from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (IBioIC), contributes to the growth of the company as a circular economy leader with materials innovations and is very exciting for both partners.
In total, IBioIC has awarded 15 new grants to fund PhD projects at biotechnology companies including IndiNature. The grant is part of a commitment of more than £11 million to future green skills since IBioIC’s inception in 2014.
Scott Simpson, CEO of IndiNature, said: “There is growing demand for natural, plastic-free products that can be used to improve the sustainability of our built environment and we are turning that into a reality using locally-grown crops and bio-based materials.
“Having the support of a PhD student will be invaluable as we aim to scale-up our lab-based research and we are looking forward to working closely with future talent who will no doubt offer a fresh perspective. As well as the environmental benefit of our products, we are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we operate in, including support for the next generation of biotechnology experts.”
Image courtesy IBioIC: IBioIC Facilities Manager Neil Renault (right) running a pilot scale disc stack centrifuge on behalf of a client, supported by fermentation scientist Naomi Clark.