Biotechnologies as catalysts for driving net zero

R&D impact delivered by this work extends to policy development and to the benefits derived from delivering circularity, green growth and reducing carbon emissions by anaerobic digestion that (1) recovers a variety of organic wastes and low value biomass and (2) produces bioenergy and fertiliser. Other biotechnologies being developed can recover resources for the production of fuels (CH4, H2 and NH3), chemicals e.g. volatile fatty acids, biopolymers e.g. polyhydroxyalkanoates and single-cell proteins that can be used for animal feed. Biotechnologies delivering solutions for Power to X, for energy storage and for the capture and use of carbon have also been a focus of our research. Monitoring and control methodologies for the biotechnologies have been developed, including the use of analytical technologies such as FTNIR, GC-IMS and qPCR. Work continues on the valorisation of digestates as microbial and algae growth media, and the recovery of nutrients (NPK). Evaluations of the fate of polymers in the environment, their biochemical recycling and the production of biostimulants for soil and crop improvements, nitrogen fixing and emissions’ reduction are all in progress. Technologies are currently across the TRL 3-6 range and require further R&D to progress them to commercialisation. Deploying industrial biotechnologies is essential to act as sustainable catalysts for change and for delivering net zero, circular economy and green growth. Biotechnologies can impact beneficially on the sustainability of cities and benefit their relationship and integration with surrounding rural areas.