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Workshop: Building reliable biomass supply chains

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• Wednesday 15 April 2026, 10:00 - 16:30

• University of York (location details will be supplied closer to the event)

• Free to attend for Bioeconomy Cluster members - lunch and refreshments provided

• Spaces are limited and by application only (deadline 17 March)

 

York and North Yorkshire have a wealth of biomass potential, and this workshop aims to bring together Bioeconomy Cluster members to explore opportunities and challenges, and to enable networking of businesses, researchers and local government.  

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We will consider feedstock availability and opportunities for new biomass crops, provide an overview of processing considerations and look to the future potential for creating 'designer' biomass. 

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Workshop organisers:

• Vicky Bolton, Anglo American

• Dr Caroline Calvert, YNY Bioeconomy Cluster

• Dr Leonardo Gomez, CNAP, University of York

• Tracey Taylor Preston, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority​

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Workshop agenda​

• 9:45 Arrival: Coffee, tea and connections

• 10:20 Welcome and introduction to the sub-group

• 10:30 Knowledge exchange: 15 minute talks from industry experts

  • Gail Shuttleworth, Alder BioInsights: Identifying and sourcing feedstocks for a
    sustainable bioeconomy

  • Will Macapline, Rothamsted Research, Biomass Connect: Biomass Connect
    Innovation Hubs: demonstrating the UK’s biomass crop options

  • Helen Shiels, Biorenewables Development Centre: Growing the value chains for
    biomass feedstocks 

  • Leonardo Gomez, University of York: Improving biomass for biorefineries​

• 11:50 Flash talks from Cluster members: 5-minute snapshots of opportunities, challenges and ideas around areas such as skills, regulatory matters, investment etc. 

• 12:30 Lunch and networking

• 13:30 Discussion groups on key challenges 

• 14:30 Report back and consensus

• 15:15 Break and refreshments

• 15:45 Future sub-group activities

• 16:30 Meeting close

 

How to apply

 

​Applications for this workshop are now closed. If you haven't applied and would like to attend, please contact Dr Caroline Calvert, Bioeconomy Cluster Manager by email at bioeconomy-cluster@york.ac.uk