- Aston University research institute on the lookout for industry collaborations
- Follows extra funding for the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator
- Researchers want to work on initiatives such as paints and coatings and low carbon gas for industrial heating.
Companies that want to collaborate on government-backed environmental projects are being urged to contact Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI).
In last month’s budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the government will commit to extend funding for the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator.
The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator was originally announced in the government’s 2022 levelling up white paper. It was established to boost the region’s engineering research and development and commercial growth by enabling businesses to develop new products, processes and services.
EBRI is leading one of the accelerator’s initiatives and is now looking to work with more organisations. It runs the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator which uses pyrolysis technology to transform organic material such as sawdust, dried chicken litter and agricultural straw into commercially valuable bioproducts such as biochar, gas and liquids. The project was established to develop growth potential, targeting export contracts worth over £200 million of low carbon products produced by a regional industrial cluster.
Tim Miller, project lead, Biochar CleanTech Accelerator, said: “When Rachel Reeves announced the extension of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator we were delighted.
“The Biochar CleanTech Accelerator offers a huge range of possibilities. For example, recently we’ve worked with a Birmingham law firm to make everyday office items from biochar.
“Now we are looking to work with innovative organisations on initiatives such as paints and coatings and low carbon gas for industrial heating. We also want to explore soil conditioners and products for improved plant, tree and animal health and biochar for water treatment and odour control.
“We are working with regional companies to take research out of the lab into commercialisation at scale into domestic and export markets.”
The University’s researchers are currently looking at future developments including advanced filters and nanotechnology products.
The additional government support will be to fund work from 2025 to 2026. To find out more about the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator contact biochar@aston.ac.uk
- Notes to editors
West Midlands Innovation Accelerator
Aston University has been awarded funding for this Biochar CleanTech Accelerator project as part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator to bolster the region’s innovation and R&D capability and capacity to spark commercial growth and investment.
Led by Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, the pilot Innovation Accelerators programme invested £100m in 26 transformative R&D projects to accelerate the growth of three high-potential innovation clusters – Glasgow City Region, Greater Manchester and West Midlands. This is a new model of R&D decision making that empowers local leaders to harness innovation to drive regional economic growth, help attract private investment, and develop future technologies.About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk