News & Insights: October 2026
Recent developments across the waste and bioenergy sectors highlight ongoing challenges in waste management and progress in industrial decarbonisation. Moray recycling centres remain unable to accept waste wood, with no clear end to the restrictions, while the rollout of household food waste collections in North West Leicestershire has been delayed until 2027 due to supply chain issues. In Germany, InfraLeuna has opened a new anaerobic wastewater treatment plant that will generate biogas for use within the Leuna chemical site, demonstrating the potential to recover renewable energy from industrial waste streams.
Investment in sustainable fuels and low-carbon materials continues to advance internationally. Indonesia plans to develop one million hectares of sugarcane plantations to support its ambition to introduce E20 bioethanol, while Demeter Energy has secured a feedstock agreement for its planned Florida biomethanol plant, which will use urban wood and green waste. In the UK, Cardiff-based Reclinker has raised £10 million to commercialise technology that converts cement recovered from demolition waste into lower-carbon clinker. Meanwhile, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has launched new guidance to help businesses scale up the use of sustainable alternative feedstocks, supporting the transition away from virgin fossil-based raw materials.
Alder BioInsights Biomethane GHG Calculator
Developed by the team behind the official Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) GHG Calculator for DESNZ, our Biomethane GHG Calculator provides a practical, transparent way to calculate, understand and report greenhouse gas emissions across multiple schemes.
Built on our extensive experience in GHG accounting, sustainability regulation and biomethane production, the calculator brings RHI, GGSS, ISCC and RTFO reporting requirements together in one tool.
Available under an annual licence, the calculator is regularly maintained and updated to reflect changes to methodologies, emission factors and reporting requirements, alongside user and auditor feedback.
The result is a current, supported and user-friendly tool for biomethane producers and their advisers.
The Bioeconomy Cluster Conference 2026
The York and North Yorkshire Bioeconomy Cluster will be hosting their first Bioeconomy Cluster Conference on Tuesday 13th October 2026.
With the bioeconomy being a significant economic opportunity the UK has right now, York and North Yorkshire is well placed to be at the centre of it, attracting investment and high quality jobs to the region.
The event will feature research highlights, an industry showcase of bioeconomy companies and talks on topics including anaerobic digestion and skills within the bioeconomy.
Alder BioInsights Managing Director Adrian Higson will be chairing the flash presentation discussion from 11.15am “Bioeconomy Opportunities, Services and Collaborations”
Sustainable Polymers in Liquid Formulations Summit 2026
Dr Adrian Higson will also be speaking at the Sustainable Polymers in Liquid Summit to explore PLF advances, transition strategies, and policy insights.
The event will be taking place at the Royal Society of Chemistry on 22nd October 2026. The programme will feature updates on the Sustainable PLFs 2040 initiative, alongside insights into shared challenges, sector priorities and how the UK chemical industry is mobilising to meet sustainability ambitions and transform the PLFs landscape.
Bioeconomy Lexicon
Our bioeconomy lexicon continues to be a popular resource for many of our followers and industry colleagues with over 200 widely used terms, clearly defining each of them and providing advice regarding their use.
If there is a term you would like to see included in our Lexicon please do email us at enquiries@alderbioinsights.co.uk
