UK Bio-Based Solutions Network Secures Funding to Build Practical Tools for Market Access
Caroline Randall
Marketing Manager
The UK Bio-Based Solutions Network (BB-REG-NET) has secured funding through Innovate UK’s Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks programme for a second phase focused delivering policy guidance, material field testing, regulatory support tools, standards training and a national roadmap for the biobased and biodegradable materials sector.
Phase 1 of BB-REG-NET brought together industry experts, regulators and other stakeholders through research, evidence reviews and seven stakeholder workshops. It identified 56 government departments, agencies and public bodies involved in regulating aspects of the bioeconomy, all with conflicting priorities .
During Phase 1, Alder BioInsights undertook extensive desk-based research, stakeholder interviews, and face to face workshops to formulate in-depth information responding to the perception that biodegradable plastics contribute to the microplastic burden in the open environment, understanding the generation, fate and ecotoxicology of microplastics, as well as formulating the basis of a biomass hierarchy. The resulting evidence contributed to the network’s reports and White Paper, Growing the UK’s Modern Industrial Bioeconomy, launched in Parliament in December 2025.
Phase 2 will build on these findings and work towards co-developing and testing practical solutions alongside regulators, policymakers, standards bodies and industry across nine work packages.
Across nine interconnected work packages, Phase 2 will include an open evidence hub, culminating in a National Roadmap for Accelerating Adoption of Bio-based Solutions, build a stronger evidence base around biodegradability, industrial composting, environmental fate and microplastics, create an open-access AI-enabled Regulatory Intelligence Platform to help innovators navigate regulatory requirements and Map the UK’s renewable carbon opportunity, identifying high-potential biomass feedstocks and commercial value chains.
The UK bio-based chemicals and materials sector includes more than 1,200 businesses, around 1,100 of them SMEs, generating more than £12.5 billion in annual revenue and supporting approximately 20,300 jobs. Innovate UK estimates the UK bio-based chemicals sector could exceed £204 billion annually by 2050.
Alder BioInsights Managing Director, Adrian Higson commented
“This Phase 2 funding gives us the opportunity to pull together results from field trials and the real-world testing of biodegradable materials, both in the open environment and under commercial composting conditions. By compiling the evidence base and translating it into clear, practical guidance, we can help support robust, informed regulatory and policy decisions.”
The consortium is led by BBIA and brings together the University of Sheffield, Biorenewables Development Centre, RECOUP, BSI, Alder BioInsights, Perspective Economics, Twig Bio and Resource Media, covering expertise across industry, academia, standards, waste systems, economics, AI and communications.
The project runs to March 2028.
For further information and the full press release please visit https://resourcemedia.eco/article/bio-based-solutions-network-to-put-materials-through-mrf-sorting-trials
