Bio-based and biodegradable materials network gets Innovate UK funding

The £500,000 funding allows for implementation of the Bio-based and biodegradable materials regulatory science and innovation network (BB-REG-NET).

BB-REG-NET implementation will establish a network of bio-based material stakeholders, with the aim of developing new tools, standards and approaches to evaluate the quality, performance and environmental and economic impact of bio-based materials, to assess benefit-risk and facilitate sound and transparent regulatory decision-making.

The network is designed to:

• Generate evidence using regulatory science tools, such as standards, metrics, peer-reviewed research, to inform policy and assist regulators with decisions.
• Develop stronger partnerships across the regulatory innovation ecosystem, bringing together different disciplines.
• Share knowledge to inform evidence-based policymaking, allowing the sound assessment of risks and benefits of bio-based materials.
• Provide business-growth opportunities by removing barriers to the commercialisation of BB-materials, which are essential to a UK circular bioeconomy and sustainable economic growth.

There will be a focus on feedstock availability and sustainability, infrastructure and end-of-life, environmental impact and product safety, including LCA, biodegradability standards, microplastics, development of labelling systems, standards and market acceptance.