Bioeconomy
The Bioeconomy encompasses the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value added products, such as food, feed, biobased products as well as bioenergy. Bioeconomy value chains integrate the latest breakthroughs in clean technology, biotechnology and genetic engineering to extract and produce high value products from agricultural, forestry, marine and waste biomass.
In Ireland, the Bioeconomy has experienced significant growth in activity in recent years as companies of all sizes look to diversify and become more resource efficient and sustainable. The Centre for Applied Bioscience Research is well-positioned to contribute to Ireland’s fast growing bioeconomy by supporting SME’s and large industries to identify and scale opportunities to valorise primary and residual process streams.
Over the last decade the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research has supported companies in prospecting and extracting high value ingredients and products from a variety of bioeconomy feedstocks including seaweed, grass and hemp as well as industrial residue streams from the milling, pulp and dairy sectors, and many more. New natural products developed include high value ingredients and products for food, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications. Building on this experience, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, and our Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, are available to provide tailored solutions for organisations wishing to maximize and diversify existing value chains.
Irish Bioeconomy Foundation
The Centre for Applied Bioscience Research are partners in the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation (IBF). The mission of IBF is to promote the conversion of Ireland’s natural land & sea resources to high value products for the development of a sustainable bioeconomy that is globally competitive and creates local development. Limerick IT are founder members of the IBF, which is headquartered in Lisheen, Co. Tipperary. The 455-hectare property is a converted mining site and boasts an €80m infrastructure including roads, electrical substation, wind turbines, weigh bridges, water, buildings.
BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre
The Centre for Applied Bioscience Research signed an memorandum of understanding with BiOrbic in June 2020 establishing a strategic partnership and committing to exploring opportunities with BiOrbic. BiOrbic is Ireland’s national bioeconomy research centre, established to promote and develop Ireland’s bioeconomy through excellent research and innovation. It is a national collaboration of over 100+ researchers, focused on the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy and is hosted by UCD with parnter institutes including TCD, Teagasc, NUIG and UL.