UK business secretary to open biorenewables centre in York

UK business secretary Vince Cable will visit the University of York on 5 July to open the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC).

The purpose of the BDC is to integrate modern genetics with ‘green’ chemistry and processing techniques to create renewable chemicals and materials. It will support the UK industry in developing manufacturing technologies that use plants, microbes and biowastes as the raw materials for high value products.

‘This new centre will strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in the exploitation of high-value chemicals from renewable sources. It will also help UK companies to access and capitalise on the global growth potential from these new technologies and products,’ says Cable.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has supported the BDC to the tune of £2.5 million ($3.8 million) and the European Regional Development Fund has also been a keen supporter of the project.

‘This investment is a reflection of the facility’s national significance and unique capability,” explains BDC director Joe Ross. “The centre will greatly expand the opportunities for industry to source its raw materials from plants and microbes.’