4th BBNet conference: The future of biorefining: feedstocks, technologies and products

15 October 2025, Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel & Spa, 119 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JE,

BBNet is delighted to announce that registration is now open for the 4th BBNet conference once again being held at the Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa.

The three-day conference, entitled “The future of biorefining: feedstocks, technologies and products,” aims to highlight recent research findings and practical applications within the biorefining domain, provide an overview of advancements in the sector, and examine prospective bio-based feedstocks.

The conference brings together participants from industry, academia and the policy sector to share ideas, and catalyse working partnerships in new and productive ways. The event will include a wide variety of sessions, speakers, flash presentations and, as the current BBNet funding draws to a close, we will showcase some of the projects funded by BBNet and celebrate the impact the network has had. There will be several opportunities for networking during breaks, dinners and the poster sessions; and we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting an exhibition with a number of key suppliers and businesses within the industry.

The conference commences with registration at 11am on Wednesday 15th October, and will conclude at 12.45pm (followed by a light lunch) on Friday 17th October 2025.

The conference will cover the following aspects:

Current landscape and priorities
Feedstock availability
New and emerging feedstocks
Advancements in bio-based technologies
ECR presentation opportunity
BBNet showcase
Advancing your research – considerations for commercialisation

Confirmed chairs and speakers:

We are extremely pleased to be supported by some exceptional names in the industry, with confirmed chairs including:

Professor Andy Pickford, Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Director of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI), University of Portsmouth
Professor Claire Halpin, Professor of Plant Sciences and Associate Dean for Research, University of Dundee
David Bott, Head of Innovation, The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Sarah Davidson, Technology Development Lead, Croda Europe Ltd
Dr. Mark Gronnow, Process Development Unit Manager, Biorenewables Development Centre
Professor Neil Bruce, Director of BBNet and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), University of York
Dr. Gavin Milligan, Green Knight Sustainability Consulting

The programme is still being finalised, speakers and sessions will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

How to register:

This is a free event for BBNet members and is always extremely popular – secure your place early by registering below to avoid disappointment.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. We will let you know if you have secured a place at the conference after registration closes. Please only make travel arrangements after your place has been confirmed.

Key information

Key dates:

Registration opens: 28 April 2025
Registration closes: 22 June 2025 (midnight). Registration may close earlier if the event is oversubscribed.
Delegates are contacted to confirm their place at the conference: 30 June 2025
Conference information shared with confirmed delegates: w/c 14 July 2025
Final delegate information and reminders: 01 October 2025

What’s included for confirmed, registered delegates:

2 nights accommodation (if requested);
all meals including two conference dinners;
networking opportunities;
an exciting programme of speakers and sessions;
access to the exhibition throughout days 1 & 2

Cost:

The cost of the conference is free to participants. This includes the three-day conference, lunch, refreshments throughout each day, dinner and overnight accommodation on 15 and 16 October. Participants will be expected to self-fund their travel and any other related expenses. Please note that the conference is paid for using public funds, so we urge you to think carefully about whether you can definitely attend before confirming your place. Please see terms and conditions for further information on charges related to last minute cancellations.

How to attend:

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities:

We have a number of sponsorship opportunities available and for this first time we will be running an exhibition alongside the conference. To find out more information, find a package to suit you and to reserve your exhibition space now please see the following document.

Please note that the only remaining sponsorship packages are silver and bronze.

We are pleased to confirm the following sponsors and exhibitors: