Biome Technologies
Scaling up the next generation of bioplastics
Navigating the challenging stages of innovation
UK based SME Biome Technologies works with CPI to progress their technically challenging project along the journey to commercialisation
Biome Bioplastics is one of the UK’s leading developers of intelligent, natural plastics. Its mission is to produce bioplastics that can challenge the dominance of oil-based polymers. With the potential for reduced costs, increased sustainability and biodegradability properties, bioplastics have the potential to create significant environmental and economic impacts. Biome worked closely with CPI’s highly experienced team to develop a roadmap to guide their journey to commercialisation.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=6c4b7f24f48222e2142e5513b5b16103 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=1ea809ea1a81df35163fb40ceae9995a 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=1782acd1a203869531e24797f30a43b0 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=65cc66ca74792b8905773abb0d45eb61 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=9ba0e12724949acb3d59b52199ab38de 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plaxica-bioplastics.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216626&s=b1434357d19fd358de19e985d2209590 960w)
“ We are very happy to have teamed up with CPI, who have provided support over and above what was expected in the project. ”
![Paul Mines Paul Mines](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Paul-Mines.jpg?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1632740866&s=e592b5906881feabee9ed3e98dc28ef2)
Achievements
Inputs
- Feasibility study
- Bid writing and consortia building
- Facilities
- R&D&I
- Technical knowledge and expertise
Outputs
- £5m Investment in 3 CR&D projects
- TRL Progression from 2 to 5
- Collaboration with industry and academia
Outcomes
- 7 patents developed
- Private investment secured
- Jobs created
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=f2519ec5a957aed20855d8f329ab1d1a 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=c4acc2777634dba7eb0b83d8a95c57b6 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=23e2a0dbd9b1277c5698a65358bd2bde 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=5b46866172b6e92144f2a680f1e8f404 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=14c508b611c903fdb96b92bcf1712186 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=3fbfd48f28fe7655ed6200001529d262 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/plastic-bottle-line.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216465&s=50dafdb76707250ad9d84309386a99bd 960w)
The challenge
Leading bioplastics manufacturer Biome Technologies Plc. approached CPI for guidance to navigate the challenging stages of innovation.
With the potential to create sustainable, low cost and environmentally friendly products, Biome Technologies were keen to build upon their current market position with the launch of their next generation bioplastics.
However current production methods mean the cost of bioplastics manufacturing is 3 – 4 times higher than traditional petroleum based products. In response to this challenge Biome have developed an innovative technology that extracts high performance chemicals from lignin (a by-product from the paper and bio-fuels industries) for use in bioplastics. Once the lignin can be broken down under the right conditions, and the resultant chemicals can be extracted at scale, this process provides the foundation for a new generation of cost effective bioplastics.
Following a successful in-house feasibility study in conjunction with Warwick University, Biome were confident of their product capabilities and potential market applications, and as such were in a position to progress through to the challenging stages of scale-up and onwards into commercial manufacture.
How CPI helped
Biome Bioplastics initially teamed up with CPI in 2013 to undertake an initial road mapping study. This study provided Biome with an assessment of the potential economic and commercial opportunities in this area and provided a Technology Roadmap. In parallel to this study, Biome utilised CPI’s open access facilities and scientific knowledge to gain a deeper understanding of the scale-up process for their product.
Following an informative output from the roadmapping study, Biome’s next step was to raise funds to progress through the innovation stages of its product development process, something they continued to work with CPI to achieve. A successful collaborative application to Innovate UK in conjunction with CPI and Leeds & Warwick Universities resulted in a £1.7m grant for the project‘LigPoly’ being awarded. This project builds upon the initial in-house feasibility work and the roadmapping study with CPI to bring Biome’s technology significantly closer to market.
Paul Mines – CEO of Biome Technologies commended CPI on their flexibility and adaptability throughout the project, stating:
“It is not just about sticking to the plan of the project, but also exploring other technology options and possibilities to make sure the project will succeed, rather than following the route that was planned originally. CPI moulded their expertise to the project, rather than the project to their expertise”
With such a challenging project with high levels of technical complexity, the road to commercialisation is not a straight one. However following the Innovate UK initial and subsequent investment, Biome’s investors were reassured that the project held significant potential and therefore continued to invest in the companies R&D activities. In total over £5m towards research and development has been raised to date.
Whilst Biome expect the development process to take approximately 7 – 8 years in total, the progress they have made thus far means that they hope to have a commercial demonstration of the process during 2018. This project demonstrated that a small investment in a roadmapping study and creation of collaborative partnerships can lead to significant potential impacts, both economically, environmentally and technically in the years to come.
Related
Technologies
Markets
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=8d2d0dcc475b828605a5b096eedaf06f 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=3277e26eb34cc8a46952f6e7c161322b 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=f7ab07a1f7a55552be26b2ab21b85fc9 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=cd4e99673e552495c5dd81c5a037e558 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=4a8211383112d9d45e4c0bf2a88c4f44 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/bio-plastic.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559220651&s=aa7facb42c3b4cd9a381ed501106cbe7 960w)