Julian welcomes Minister to York to gain support for job-creating green science business project
March 11, 2022
Today, Julian hosted the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman at the Dunnington Biorenewables Development Centre, having worked with York University to invite him to visit this part of their ground-breaking BioYorkshire project.
BioYorkshire aims to create 4000 skilled, high-wage jobs and put York at the heart of the growing bioeconomy sector, which could be worth an extra £220 billion a year to the British economy by 2030, helping secure the city’s long-term prosperity.
The project aims to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into new green products, allowing for businesses to produce materials, chemicals, fuel, food and animal feed with less environmental impact. BioYorkshire is a partnership between local education and research institutions York University, Askham Bryan College and the FERA Science hub at Sand Hutton, and regional businesses.
Julian and George Freeman toured the Development Centre’s cutting-edge labs, dedicated to converting waste and plant matter into new goods, and viewed the new-build site of a local science business. They also heard first-hand about a new nitrogen technology that could reduce the need for fertiliser use, and latest breakthroughs in protein extraction from potatoes that could be applied to produce vegetarian and vegan foods. Finally, they visited the facility of a biochemical enterprise that converts residential and business waste into recycled materials for sale.
Afterwards, Julian said: “I helped arrange this visit so we could impress the Science Minister enough to secure strong government backing for BioYorkshire, which is a massive opportunity to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs for York and the wider region.
I think George Freeman was very enthused by the innovation and potential he saw, and I expect him to go back to Whitehall and do all he can to help this project achieve lift-off.
Emerging sectors and technologies like bioeconomy are where the growth and jobs of tomorrow are going to come from, and BioYorkshire has a valuable role to play in guaranteeing a dynamic and prosperous future for our city and younger generations.”
