At the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) we offer a broad variety of services in the fields of chemistry and biology to help businesses convert plants, microbes and biowastes into profitable green products. Take a look at our core areas of expertise below and do get in touch with any queries. In a nutshell, we can help at any point in the biorenewables supply chain, whether you are looking for a use for waste tomato leaves, new fuels for your biomass boilers, or a plant-based source of chemicals for fertilisers or cosmetics.
All our facilities are open-access, so if you know what you want to do but don’t have the equipment to do it, then we can also arrange for you to spend time in our labs working alongside our experienced team.
Beyond the desk-based and practical science, our chemists and engineers and biologists also work hand in hand with the business development team to ensure that all our projects are business-focussed, with insights into the regulatory and policy landscapes; and we will always be keeping track of any further funding opportunities that might be available for our clients. In particular, if you are an SME based in Yorkshire or the Humber, you may be eligible for our funded business support so be sure to get in touch to discuss this opportunity further!
Flexible project funding
Find the right package for your business – including funded support for SMEs and R&D tax credits
Fast-track breeding
Genetic analysis, heteroduplex mapping, plant breeding and all that goes with it
Pre-processing
Preparing materials for further use, e.g. through milling, drying, macerating, pelletising
Process development
Exploring how to get the most out of the materials, eg. extractions, distillations, and reaction systems
Novel equipment demonstration
Applying new technologies, e.g. supercritical fluids and microwaves, to obtain high-value chemicals from biomass
Analytical services
Finding out what is in your sample, from toxicity testing to determining metal levels
Microbiology
Identifying microbes in products and environments and characterising useful properties
Desk-based assessments
Exploring opportunities for new products derived from biomass (including waste)
