From concept to kilos; scaling-up in biorefining
BBNet is delighted to announce that expressions of interest are now being accepted for a course in biorefining scale up, aimed at researchers and early stage innovators, focusing on the stages involved in taking a concept from laboratory scale research to commercial, marketable product or process.
This two day in-person course is designed to transform participants from having a primarily lab-based understanding of biotechnology process to possessing a more comprehensive and practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with industrial scale-up and commercialisation in biomass biorefining. A tour of one of the UK’s open access scale up centres, the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC), will form part of the second day.
The course aims to;
- provide an understanding of industrial scale-up: participants will be given insights into the entire journey from lab to industrial production, including scale-dependent challenges, economic viability, and critical process parameters;
- develop expertise in core unit operations: gain knowledge of pretreatment, processing (such as enzymatic, fermentation, thermochemical), and downstream separation unit operations, along with their implications;
- raise manufacturing and supply chain awareness: the course will equip participants with insights into pilot plant use, manufacturing strategies (in-house/tolling), product stability, and supply chain complexities;
- introduce economic and business acumen: participants will be introduced to techno-economic analysis (TEA), minimum viable product (MVP) determination, intellectual property (IP) strategy, and understanding funding avenues, and;
- develop concepts and apply learnings; participants will apply their learnings and develop their own roadmap to success.
Participants will be better equipped to contribute to or lead efforts in bringing innovative biotech products to market and to understand the journey involved in scaling up their technologies from a research based concept to an economically and environmentally viable product.
The course will be held at The Radisson Hotel in the historic city of York. The second day will be held at the BDC and will include a tour of the facilities.
The course will cover the following aspects:
- The fundamentals of scaling up your process technology
- An understanding of process development related to biomass biorefining
- The principles of downstream processing and areas to consider
- Routes to prototype products and beyond to manufacturing
- Operational challenges such as facilities, shipping, QC and regulation
- Planning and applying your learnings to your own process or research
Who is this course for:
This workshop is open to UK-based members of the BBNet community and is suitable for researchers and early stage innovators, including final year PhD students, those at the start up and pre-start up stage, those that are spinning out of another organisation and those that are developing a new line within an established company. The course will equip them to strategically plan pre-scale-up activities, bridging the gap between research and commercial viability.
Expressions of interest are being accepted until midnight on Sunday 21 September 2025. All applications will be assessed and places will be allocated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of current research or business to the biomass biorefining sector
- Potential impact the course will have on future research/technology/process
- Additional eligibility criteria (see guidance document for full criteria)
Course dates: 20 & 21 November 2025
Times: 9am on 20 November, to 5pm on 21 November
Venue: The Radisson Hotel York, North St, York, YO1 6JF (day one) Biorenewables Development Centre, Dunnington, York, YO19 5SN (day two). Transport will be provided between the hotel and the BDC.
Accommodation: Overnight accommodation will be provided for the night of 20 November at The Radisson Hotel York for all participants, and on 19 November for those that require it due to the early start.
Cost: The cost of the course is free to participants. This includes the two-day course, lunch and refreshments throughout each day, dinner and overnight accommodation on 20 November, and accommodation on 19 November if needed. Participants will be expected to self-fund their travel and any other related expenses.
Key dates:
Applications open: 04 September 2025
Applications close: 21 September 2025 (midnight)
Delegates contacted with offer of a place: by 26 September 2025
Deadline to accept offered place: 05 October 2025
Course information shared with confirmed delegates: 06 November 2025
How to apply:
To register your interest in attending this course please complete the form below.
The Radisson Hotel York
North St
York YO1 6JF (day one)
Biorenewables Development Centre
Dunnington
York
YO19 5SN (day two)
