On 24th October ENABLING partner Collison and Associates worked with the Bioladies Network to run a workshop in Norwich, UK as part of Norwich Science Festival.
The event was addressed by Martin and Lynn Collison of Collison and Associates, Iris Anderson of the Bioladies Network and Dr Murree Groom of Ecospray. Examples of bioeconomy products used at the event by Martin Collison included ENABLING best practices including:
A meadow grass based thermoplastic product, AgriPlast, developed in Germany by company Biowert GmbH;
A partnership between Belgian tomato producers and fish farmers to recycle nutrients;
And, Devon UK based Patco Trading which brought together a group of farmers to supply a bedding material made from Miscanthus or Elephant Grass.
The workshop also heard from Dr Murree Groom of Ecospray who spoke about the biosprays they produce made from garlic extract. This product, which is 100% natural and safe to eat, is used to control pests on a wide variety of crops such as alliums, carrots and potatoes with a particular focus on controlling nematodes. The company is now expanding into overseas markets with ongoing crop trials on new crops including roses, sugar cane, pineapples and bananas.
Iris Anderson spoke about a product developed by Bioladies Network member, Angela Morris, who set up Woolcool in 2008. Woolcool is an award winning UK company which makes insulation material made from sheep’s wool. Originally focused on packaging material for the food sector Woolcool is now also producing specialist materials to keep medicines cool in transport without the need for refrigeration. Woolcool is also featured as an Enabling Best Practice and EIP-Agri Abstract.
With 18 people attending the event the workshop ended with refreshments served on plates made from wheat straw and bioplastic cups made from corn starch supplied by UK company Little Cherry which specialises in bio-based catering supplies.
Workshop organised and conducted together with Bioladies Network and Norwich Science Festival.
New contacts made with a biomass producer, a bio-based product company, a biomass / bio-based product researcher.
Policymakers attending the workshop included Norfolk County Council who have already circulated the slides from the event to their Rural Strategy Group which advises the council on how to develop the rural economy, reaching an additional 18 organisations. A follow up event with students at the University of East Anglia in 2020 is also planned.
Biomass samples supplied to a biomass / bio-based product researcher (researching production of activated carbon to extend electric vehicle battery capacity/reduce re-charging intervals).