New bioeconomy cluster to root York and North Yorkshire as UK leader in sustainable growth

A major new initiative, the York and North Yorkshire Bioeconomy Cluster, has launched to accelerate the region's position as the home of the UK’s bioeconomy. Building on the strength of the existing BioYorkshire Partnership, the Cluster will gather businesses, academics, and policymakers to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth through innovation in areas such as agritech, bio-based products, and sustainable food production.

York and North Yorkshire already host over 10% of the UK's bioeconomy workforce and more than 7,000 businesses. The concentration of bioeconomy employment in the region is over twice the national average, with the sector's job growth doubling the national rate between 2015 and 2021.

Funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Business Innovation Fund, the Cluster will bring together this regional expertise into a connected, place-based innovation ecosystem. Membership is free and gives access to networking, knowledge sharing, and targeted support to help nurture start-ups, scale existing businesses, and attract new investment to the area.

Cluster members can join focused sub-groups dedicated to areas like product and process development for business, anaerobic digestion, and building biomass supply chains, alongside opportunities for leadership advocacy through a dedicated Bioeconomy Leadership Forum.

Professor Ian Graham, Academic Director of BioYorkshire and Director of the Cluster, said:

“York and North Yorkshire is uniquely positioned to lead the UK's transition to a net-zero, bio-based economy. This new Cluster isn't just about networking - it's about creating genuine opportunities, from focused workshops to advocacy at senior leadership level, that translate our expertise into tangible business growth, inward investment, and sustainable jobs for the region.”

Christine Parry, Product Innovation Expert, Asterra (part of AB Agri), added:

“As partners, we’ve seen first-hand the growth potential from the bioeconomy within this region. The formal launch of this cluster is an important step in creating better communication, connecting innovators with the resources they need, and highlighting our collective strength on a national stage.”

The York and North Yorkshire Bioeconomy Cluster is actively inviting individuals from industry, academic researchers, local government officials, and investors to join. Membership is free.

Visit here to find out more and register.