Sustainability in the Food Chain * Sustainability in the Food Chain * Institute of Food Research: Exploitation Platform

News about the Platform's recent activities

25 March 2011

Keith Waldron awarded "Most Promising Innovator" for 2011 in BBSRC competition

A patented process to control the degradation of plant material during composting has earned Professor Keith Waldron from the Institute of Food research the award of Most Promising Innovator in a national competition recognising bioscience research.

The annual competition is organised by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. There were six finalists and winners in three categories as well the overall prize of Innovator of the Year.

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said, “bioscience is a key growth sector, which is why we announced a £70 million investment in BBSRC research campuses in Norwich and Cambridge in the Budget. These awards recognise the impact of bioscience both on the economy and society, through driving innovation, training highly-skilled people, improving businesses and public services and attracting foreign investment.”

Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon said, “the horticultural industry is making real progress in reducing peat use but we need to go further if we are to protect our natural environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Science has a vital role to play if we are to achieve our aim to completely phase out peat before 2030. This is a great example of how Government can work with industry to fund innovative research which will support the horticulture industry as it moves towards a sustainable peat-free future.”

The awards and prize money were presented by David Willetts MP at a ceremony in London last night. Professor Waldron received a trophy and £5000.

For full story, please click here.

17 February 2011

New composting process recognised in Grower of the Year award

The Platform's patented process to control the degradation of plant material during composting has been short-listed as a finalist in the Technical Product category in this year’s Grower of the Year awards.

The process was invented by Professor Keith Waldron and developed with the help of industry partners, Defra, the Technology Strategy Board and BBSRC. It has enabled Professor Waldron to produce growing media with sufficient plant structure to provide an alternative to peat.

Sphagnum peat is the main growing medium used by growers, prized for its water holding qualities, structure and aeration. These qualities are derived from the plant structure of partially decayed mosses and other bog plants. Commercial composting usually destroys plant tissues, leaving an unreliable product for horticulturalists. Professor Waldron has invented a process to retain sufficient structure to produce a high quality growing media.

The full press release can be found by clicking here.

30 September 2010

New steam explosion facility installed

IFR Extra can now make available specialist biomass pre-treatment & yeast handling equipment following the successful award of funding from the East of England Development Agency.

A Cambi™ Steam Explosion Pilot Plant and automatic yeast screening and propagation facility have been installed at the Institute of Food Research. The Steam Explosion Pilot Plant (located within a purpose-built Biorefinery Centre) will be used to modify biomass by a Thermal / Hydrolysis Process (THP-E) which operates at up to 230°C. This weakens, pre-degrades and ruptures the feedstock biomass. 

For bioalcohol production, enzymes can be added to convert cellulose and other polysaccharides to sugar mixtures which may then be fermented to completion by specialist yeast strains selected from a comprehensive strain library using the new automated yeast screening system in association with the National Collection of Yeast Cultures (www.ncyc.co.uk). Sufficient bulk yeast for the process will be produced using the yeast propagator. Residual material may be used in composite and natural fibre development. The Steam Explosion Pilot Plant can also be utilised in the area of fibre modification and we welcome enquiries from researchers, SMEs and larger companies with interests in this area.

Potential applications include:

  • High temperature hydrolysis leading to enhanced enzymatic degradation of wood and other lignocellulose for bioethanol production
  • Modification of cellulose fibres such as cotton and flax
  • Production of composites
  • Modification of wool fibres
  • Release of cell wall bound phenolics e.g. ferulic acid
  • Hemp fibre processing

This open access equipment will benefit the wide range of regional SMEs involved in advanced biofuel commercialisation, as well as catalysing industry engagement with the region’s knowledge base.  For further information and commercial enquiries, please contact Dr Kerry I’Anson, Client Account Manager, IFR Extra.

10 June 2010

New book on second generation biofuels publishedBioalcohol production - Woodhead Publishing

The Group's third book in recent years - Bioalcohol production: Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass - has just been released by Woodhead Publishing. The new volume – edited by Platform leader, Professor Keith Waldron - covers the process engineering, technology, modelling and integration of the entire production chain for second generation bioalcohol production from lignocellullosic biomass. Primarily reviewing bioethanol production, the book’s coverage extends to the production of longer-chain bioalcohols which will be elemental to the future of the industry.

With its distinguished international team of contributors, Bioalcohol production will be a standard reference for fuel engineers, industrial chemists and biochemists, plant scientists and researchers in this area. Further details are available from the Woodhead Publishing website.



Older news articles are available by clicking here.


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