Conference to reveal biorenewables opportunities
THE Humber region can build robust and sustainable supply chains as part of the developing biorenewables economy, according to the organisers of a major conference taking place in Yorkshire next month.
The Biorenewables in the Humber conference on October 20, organised by Humber Chemical Focus and hosted by Bishop Burton College, will share the opportunities in the sector and outline its significance in meeting the government’s 2020 targets for renewable energy contribution.
The event has attracted leading industry players including Dr Jeremy Tomkinson, chief executive of the NNFCC, the UK’s national centre for biorenewable energy, fuels and materials, who will address delegates on current legislation and low carbon policy updates.
Dr Tomkinson said the conference would help companies to consider where the best prospects lay within the biomass sector.
“The region already has many capabilities and strengths in biorenewables, but there are clear openings for joint ventures between the smaller, innovative companies and larger chemical companies to create commercial and sustainable products from waste through integrating their processing.”
He said that there was plenty of space in the new sector for intellectual property development and technology transfer in relation to integrated processing and the conference would provide an ideal platform for sharing knowledge, contacts and ideas.
Delegates at the event will also hear from Dr Graham Hillier, director of strategy and futures at the Centre for Process Innovation and Rich Hall, senior manager, sustainability, at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Afternoon workshops will be run by Rob Wood, biomass buyer at DRAX, and Robert Smith, commercial director at Vivergo, both of whom will examine scale solutions to energy needs.
Dr Les Gornall will look at the role of waste in the renewable energy mix and Nick Cheffins of Peak Hill Associates will cover biorenewables in the built environment.
A question, answer and debate session will be led by Julian Rush, former science and environment correspondent for Channel 4 News.
Dr Glyn Hughes, chief executive of Humber Chemical Focus, said it was vital to ensure that biorenewables were a strong feature of the region’s economic aspirations.
“We have a very big energy agenda, and in terms of biorenewables we have significant advantages such as our geographical position, raw materials and existing investment, particularly in waste to energy and biofuels. We are therefore very well placed to become a leader in the sector which would also provide direct investment into our rural economy,” he said.
To register contact Bethan Clayton on 01469 552841 or bethan.clayton@humberchemical.co.uk.
