Building an innovation cluster for the bioeconomy in York and North Yorkshire

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Why BioYorkshire is key to delivering a successful York & North Yorkshire devolution deal

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29,000

Jobs linked to the bioeconomy

7,000

Bioeconomy businesses in York and North Yorkshire

2.8 Million

Tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced

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What is BioYorkshire?

BioYorkshire is a regional partnership that will accelerate the translation and application of research discoveries into full scale biotechnology applications. It will use the region’s world class science base to deliver the profitable bio-based production of chemicals, materials and fuels. It will unlock an estimated £1.5bn in bioeconomy related inward investment. The project will also support net-zero food production, farming and wider land use practices.

The ambitious programme - an innovative public-private partnership - includes the University of York, Fera Science, Askham Bryan College and a range of private sector partners. It aims to harness the unique capabilities of the York and North Yorkshire region to create a world leading bioeconomy cluster - accelerating the translation of research discoveries into full-scale biotechnology applications, using the region’s world-class science base to deliver profitable bio-based production of chemicals, materials, and fuels, and productive, net-zero food, feed, farming and wider land-use practices.

Latest BioYorkshire News

UK first in ‘clean hydrogen’ production and carbon capture

The H2Boost project has become the first to successfully produce hydrogen at scale through a biological process...

York to join global centre to enhance crop resilience

University of York joins C-SPIRIT, the new “Centre for Sustainable Plant Innovation and Resilience through International Teamwork"

Supporting a circular economy for the biomanufacturing industry

Ambitious research being led by scientists at Teesside University is helping to create a circular economy for biomanufacturing industries...

Growing a strong research & enterprise ecosystem

Underpinned by world-class research and development, we will build a pipeline of innovative and scalable new start up and spin outs, and create an attractive investment proposition for those looking to support the growth of the bioeconomy.

Improving the environment

BioYorkshire will be part of the UK’s first carbon negative region whilst also delivering profitable and sustainable technologies to transform the region extending to the industrial clusters in Humberside, Teesside and the wider North of England.

The project will help drive a new era of bio-manufacturing and farming, reduce carbon emissions and actively contribute to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. It will reduce 2.8 million tonnes of CO2e annually, while reducing UK waste to landfill by 1.2 million tonnes per year.

Creating the conditions for growth

We will support the development of green skills across the region, developing a strong talent pool aligned with industry needs and the vocational skills needed for current and future bioeconomy businesses. We’ll create dedicated programmes to support development, as well as the space and networks needed to support emerging companies.

"BioYorkshire really is a fantastic example of how research and innovation can connect different and disparate interests across higher and further education, industry and local government to deliver regional benefit and address the challenges we face now and in the future."

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser
Chief Executive, UK Research and Innovation

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Why York and North Yorkshire?

York and North Yorkshire have outstanding regional strengths in the bioeconomy. Up to 10% of the UK’s entire bioeconomy is already active in this region, and the concentration of bioeconomy businesses has increased over recent years to 3 times the national average

As well as scientific expertise, York and North Yorkshire is well placed to lead the way in bio innovation, hosting national headquarters of many of the UK's largest food and drinks processing businesses and leading companies embedded within the bioeconomy.

The region is also steeped in farming traditions and expertise with agricultural businesses accounting for more than 60 per cent of land use. And with two National Parks, the Yorkshire Coast and City of York, our world-renowned historic and cultural assets shape our urban spaces, whilst the scenic beauty of our vast rural landscape and northern coastline define North Yorkshire as one of world’s most recognised regions.