Accelerating the shift to sustainable manufacturing

The chemicals and materials sectors face growing pressure to decarbonise, cut waste and transition to renewable feedstocks

At MIB, we combine expertise in biocatalysis, synthetic biology, strain engineering, materials chemistry and process scale‑up to create next‑gen biomanufacturing solutions. By engineering microbes and microbiomes, we develop efficient low‑carbon routes for chemicals, materials and fuels, supported by strengths in strain development and waste valorisation. Our polymer, biomaterials and cell‑based expression capabilities enable innovative, sustainable materials.

Our sustainable bio-based chemicals and materials research

Why does bio-based chemicals and materials research matter?

Our work in this area underpins the shift toward cleaner, more resilient and more competitive biomanufacturing by enabling sustainable processes, advancing scientific capability and strengthening the UK’s position in emerging bio‑based industries.

By combining deep technical expertise with practical, scalable innovation, this mission supports the development of new products, accelerates research progress and contributes to national goals around decarbonisation, circularity and long‑term economic growth.

""

News

Show previous news story Show next news story

Hot spring microbiomes could transform industrial CO2 waste into valuable products, Manchester researchers find

Researchers at The University of Manchester have shown that microbial communities from terrestrial hot springs could be harnessed to convert industrial CO2 emissions into useful products, offering new routes towards a circular, low-carbon economy.Industrial processes such as steel and cement production generate large volumes of CO2-rich waste gases. While these emissions are a major environmental challenge, the new study – published in Environmental Microbiome – suggests they could represent an untapped resource.The team found that microbiomes inhabiting terrestrial hot springs are naturally adapted to conditions that closely resemble industrial waste streams: high temperatures, elevated concentrations of CO2, and chemically challenging environments.Hot spring microorganisms are highly efficient at transforming inorganic carbon, including CO2, into organic compounds such as biomass and other valuable products. The researchers suggest that these communities could form the foundation of new biotechnologies designed to operate under industrial conditions without the need for light or energy-intensive cooling processes.Such approaches could enable the production of value-added compounds, including biopolymers and vitamins, directly from CO2-rich waste streams, helping to reduce emissions while generating economic value. While geological carbon storage remains a critical component of Net Zero strategies, it can be energy-intensive and costly to implement at scale. The researchers suggest that biotechnological approaches could offer a complementary route by converting emissions into useful products rather than storing them underground.The study is based on a global analysis of hot spring microbiomes spanning multiple continents, revealing consistent metabolic potential for carbon transformation across diverse environments.Corresponding author, Professor Sophie Nixon, states:“This study highlights that nature has already evolved solutions for converting CO2 under extreme conditions, and that these natural solutions are there for us to harness.Our work sits alongside geological storage within a broader portfolio of CO2 management strategies. The key difference is that here, we’re going beyond just storing carbon, and transforming it into something useful.This is a proof of concept, and we are now actively working with these communities in the laboratory to develop scalable, cost-effective systems that can contribute to Net Zero.”This paper was published in the journal: Environmental MicrobiomeFull title: Exploring the biotechnological potential of terrestrial hot spring microbiomes for CO2 utilisationDOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-026-00875-x 

The University of Manchester joins two new national research hubs to drive sustainable manufacturing

As the UK accelerates toward net-zero and a circular economy, the Sustainable Engineering Plastics (SEP) and Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing (C-Loop) hubs bring together world-leading academic and industry partners to tackle major sustainability challenges through innovation in engineering plastics and biomanufacturing.A circular future for engineering plastics Manchester researchers will work alongside the University of Warwick and University College London as part of the new EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics (SEP). The £13.6 million initiative will assess and improve the sustainability of greener materials and remanufacturing processes through reusing, repairing, and recycling high performance and durable plastics used in vehicles, electronics, and construction.The Manchester team will be led by Professor Michael Shaver through the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub and Sustainable Futures platform. The EPSRC SEP Hub will engage over 60 industry partners across supply chains including Siemens, Polestar, Biffa and Vita to accelerate the real-world adoption of sustainable plastic solutions.Microbes turning waste into wealth In parallel, Manchester will join to the Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub (C-Loop), a £14 million initiative led by the University of Edinburgh, alongside other spokes at Nottingham, University College London and Imperial College London, with more than 40 industry collaborator partnerships. Drawing on expertise at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), researchers will explore how engineered microbial systems can convert carbon-rich industrial waste into high-value products such as cosmetics, material precursors and solvents.Professor Neil Dixon will lead the Manchester team, leveraging MIB’s global leadership in engineering biology platforms and sustainable biomanufacturing. As part of the C-Loop initiative, the UK’s first BioFactory will be established to analyse waste streams and scale up new, circular biomanufacturing processes.Shaping a sustainable manufacturing futureThese hubs are two of four new national centres funded through EPSRC’s Manufacturing Research Hubs for a Sustainable Future programme, designed to catalyse the UK’s transition to cleaner, more resilient manufacturing.Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair of EPSRC, commented“These hubs will play a vital role in reshaping manufacturing to help the UK achieve green growth. By combining deep research expertise with real-world partnerships, they will develop the technologies, tools and systems we need for clean, competitive and resilient industries.”The University of Manchester’s dual role across both hubs highlights its cross-disciplinary leadership in sustainability and its commitment to pioneering innovations that support green growth, circular economy practices, and industrial transformation across the UK.

Innovative enzyme breakthrough could transform drug and chemical manufacturing

Published today (15 January 2025) in Nature, this breakthrough centres on a process called nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), a class of transformation that is widely used across the chemical industries including pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This enzymatic process offers a greener, more efficient alternative to traditional chemical synthesis.Catalysing chemistrySNAr reactions are crucial in manufacturing many valuable products such as medicines and agrochemicals. However, conventional methods for carrying out these reactions come with major challenges. They often require harsh conditions like high temperatures and environmentally harmful solvents. Established methods of performing SNAr chemistry often produce compounds as isomeric – two or more compounds that have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of the atoms – mixtures, necessitating the use of expensive and time-consuming purification steps. To overcome these hurdles, a team of researchers, led by Professor Anthony Green and Professor Igor Larrosa, have used directed evolution to develop a new enzyme capable of catalysing SNAr processes. This new enzyme, named SNAr1.3, performs a range of SNAr reactions with high efficiency and selectivity under mild reaction conditions. Unlike traditional chemical methods, this enzyme operates in water-based solutions at moderate temperatures, reducing the environmental impact and energy required.How It WorksAs there is no known natural enzyme that could catalyse SNAr reactions, the team initially discovered that an enzyme previously developed in their laboratory for a different chemical transformation could also perform SNAr chemistry, albeit with modest efficiency and selectivity. By using automated directed evolution, the researchers were able to further engineer this enzyme to have the desired characteristics. The team evaluated over 4,000 clones before identifying an enzyme SNAr1.3 that contains six mutations and is 160-fold more active than the parent enzyme. This enzyme efficiently promotes a wide variety of SNAr processes and can generate target products in a single mirror-image form, which is crucial for applications in the pharmaceutical sector.The Benefits of SNAr1.3SNAr1.3 has a number of features that make it an attractive option for chemical production:Efficiency: the enzyme can perform over 4,000 reaction cycles without losing effectiveness, making it highly productive.Precision: it creates molecules in a single mirror-image form, which is critical for the safety and effectiveness of medicines.Versatility: SNAr1.3 works with a wide range of chemical building blocks, enabling the creation of complex structures like quaternary carbon centres—a common feature in advanced drugs.Sustainability: operating under mild, water-based conditions, the enzyme reduces the need for harmful chemicals and energy-intensive processes, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.The team’s work also sheds light on the enzyme’s inner workings. Using advanced analytic techniques, they uncovered how SNAr1.3’s unique structure allows it to bind and position chemicals precisely, enabling its exceptional performance. These insights provide a blueprint for designing even more powerful enzymes in the future.A Greener Future for IndustryThe development of SNAr1.3 highlights the potential of biocatalysis and provides a template for future development. As the world moves towards net zero, and industry is looking for ways to improve efficiency and reduce their environmental impact, biotechnology could be the answer to these pressing challenges.“This is a landmark achievement in biocatalysis,” said Igor Larrosa, Professor and Chair in Organic Chemistry at The University of Manchester. “It demonstrates how we can harness and even improve on nature’s tools to address some of the toughest challenges in modern chemistry.”What’s Next?While SNAr1.3 is already showing immense promise, the researchers believe this is just the beginning. With further refinement, the enzyme could be adapted for even more complex reactions, making it a valuable tool in drug development, agricultural chemicals, and materials science.“The possibilities are just starting to emerge,” said Anthony. “By combining modern protein design with high-throughput testing, we’re optimistic about creating a new generation of enzymes that can revolutionise SNAr chemistry.”This groundbreaking research offers a glimpse into a future where manufacturing essential products is cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient. For industries looking to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high standards of quality, SNAr1.3 represents a promising solution.

Breakthrough research unlocks potential for renewable plastics from carbon dioxide

Their work, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, could accelerate the development of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products like plastics, helping pave the way for a carbon-neutral circular bioeconomy.The research, led by Dr Matthew Faulkner, working alongside Dr Fraser Andrews, and Professor Nigel Scrutton, focused on improving the production of citramalate, a compound that serves as a precursor for renewable plastics such as Perspex or Plexiglas. Using an innovative approach called “design of experiment,” the team achieved a remarkable 23-fold increase in citramalate production by optimising key process parameters.Why Cyanobacteria?Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms capable of photosynthesis, converting sunlight and CO2 into organic compounds. They are a promising candidate for industrial applications because they can transform CO2—a major greenhouse gas—into valuable products without relying on traditional agricultural resources like sugar or corn. However, until now, the slow growth and limited efficiency of these organisms have posed challenges for large-scale industrial use.“Our research addresses one of the key bottlenecks in using cyanobacteria for sustainable manufacturing,” explains Matthew. “By optimising how these organisms convert carbon into useful products, we’ve taken an important step toward making this technology commercially viable.”The Science Behind the BreakthroughThe team’s research centred on Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a well-studied strain of cyanobacteria. Citramalate, the focus of their study, is produced in a single enzymatic step using two key metabolites: pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. By fine-tuning process parameters such as light intensity, CO2 concentration, and nutrient availability, the researchers were able to significantly boost citramalate production.Initial experiments yielded only small amounts of citramalate, but the design of experiment approach allowed the team to systematically explore the interplay between multiple factors. As a result, they increased citramalate production to 6.35 grams per litre (g/L) in 2-litre photobioreactors, with a productivity rate of 1.59 g/L/day.While productivity slightly decreased when scaling up to 5-litre reactors due to light delivery challenges, the study demonstrates that such adjustments are manageable in biotechnology scale-up processes.A Circular Bioeconomy VisionThe implications of this research extend beyond plastics. Pyruvate and acetyl-CoA, the key metabolites involved in citramalate production, are also precursors to many other biotechnologically significant compounds. The optimisation techniques demonstrated in this study could therefore be applied to produce a variety of materials, from biofuels to pharmaceuticals.By enhancing the efficiency of carbon capture and utilisation, the research contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.“This work underscores the importance of a circular bioeconomy,” adds Matthew. “By turning CO2 into something valuable, we’re not just reducing emissions—we’re creating a sustainable cycle where carbon becomes the building block for the products we use every day.”What’s Next?The team plans to further refine their methods and explore ways to scale up production while maintaining efficiency. They are also investigating how their approach can be adapted to optimise other metabolic pathways in cyanobacteria, with the aim of expanding the range of bio-based products that can be sustainably manufactured.This research is the latest development from the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH) and was completed in collaboration with the FlexBio scale-up facility at Heriot-Watt University.

Researchers use bacteria to convert plastic waste into human therapeutics, including insulin

A new study from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology describes a novel biological method to convert mixed municipal waste-like fractions – including food scraps, plastics, and textiles – into valuable bio-products. This new approach could significantly reduce waste sent to landfills and cut greenhouse gas emissions.Led by Dr Neil Dixon, the team utilised the bacterium Pseudomonas putida, renowned for its resilience and adaptability, to process complex waste streams into bioplastics and even therapeutic proteins. This research offers a promising pathway toward achieving a circular economy, where waste is reused and repurposed rather than discarded.Turning waste into wealthEvery year, over two billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated worldwide. This figure is expected to rise to 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050. Conventional waste treatments like incineration and landfill contribute to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, but the Manchester team’s approach addresses these issues by creating a circular bioprocess whereby anthropogenic waste is turned into useful products.Firstly, the team pre-treated representative waste types via enzymatic hydrolysis, a process that breaks down the waste into monomers. These monomers were then added to a bioreactor containing and engineered strain of Pseudomonas putida, which used them for metabolic activity and bioproduction.Tackling environmental pollutionThe process offers a way to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic waste on the environment. A life cycle assessment revealed that the proposed approach could reduce the carbon footprint of waste management by up to 62% compared to traditional methods like landfill or incineration. The study also found that this new process could be more cost-effective, with savings of up to 37% compared to current waste treatments.Key to this success is the adaptability of Pseudomonas putida. Unlike most microorganisms, which struggle to process multiple types of waste simultaneously, the engineered bacteria can metabolise a mix of sugars, acids, and oils derived from various waste materials.“This flexibility makes our system robust and reliable, regardless of the type of waste input,” says Dr Dixon.Real-world applicationsTo demonstrate the potential of this technology, the team focused on two products:Bioplastics: the bacteria produced polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. These bioplastics are already used in applications ranging from food packaging to medical implants.Therapeutic proteins: the engineered bacteria successfully produced human insulin analogues used for treating diabetes, human interferon-alpha2a, a protein used in treatments for viral infections and some cancers, and a synthetic HEL4 nanobody.These dual outputs highlight the versatility of the system, which could cater to both high-volume products like bioplastics and high-value applications such as pharmaceuticals.Towards a circular economyThis project aligns with global efforts to transition to a circular economy, where resources are reused and waste is minimised. By leveraging waste as a resource, the Manchester team’s method addresses both environmental and economic challenges.“This work illustrates how science can tackle real-world problems,” notes Dr Dixon. “With further development, this technological concept could be integrated into municipal waste management systems, turning waste into a valuable resource.”Looking aheadWhile the study is still in its proof-of-concept stage, the potential applications are vast. Future work will focus on scaling up the process, refining enzyme systems for even greater efficiency, and exploring additional waste inputs such as rubber and nylon.As cities and nations grapple with growing waste volumes, this research offers a sustainable, scalable solution that not only addresses waste management but also contributes to climate change mitigation.

Explore our other research themes

Fundamental bioscience and technology

Discover our fundamental research

""

Biological solutions for environmental protection

Discover our environmental research

""

Biotechnologies for advanced therapeutics

Discover our therapeutics research

""

Get in touch

Reach out to our researchers for more information about their work, or if you have a general enquiry, please contact our team.

Contact us