Capital College and Vaste Technologies awarded funding to develop ground-breaking digital biomass feedstock platform project
Edinburgh College and Vaste Technologies have been awarded funding by the Scottish Government’s Inward Investment Catalyst Fund to drive forward an innovative project aimed at transforming the biomass feedstock supply chain in Scotland and across the UK.
The project will focus on developing a proof of concept or minimum viable product (MVP) for the front end of the digital platform that will connect biomass suppliers directly with bioenergy producers, biochemicals and bioplastics manufacturers. The aim is to improve market access and transaction efficiency, and will also play a key role in supporting Scotland’s net-zero targets.
Vaste and Edinburgh College aim to tackle two significant challenges in the biomass sector: the underutilisation of biomass plants due to inconsistent supply, and the environmental and economic issues caused by surplus biomass generation. In 2023, the UK reported cumulative of over 400 incidents of river pollution, demonstrating the urgent need for enhanced waste management solutions.
The project will develop a digital platform to aggregate biomass feedstock from sources such as farmers and restaurants, ensuring a steady supply for biomass plants, organic fertiliser producers and companies producing and utilising bio-based materials.
Scotland, with its rich biomass resources and strong innovation ecosystem, is the ideal location for this transformative project. The partnership not only has the potential to strengthen the country’s biomass supply chain but also contribute to the country’s ambitious decarbonisation efforts. Vaste also plans to create at least 20 new jobs over the next three years, focusing on product development and commercial roles.
This collaboration with Edinburgh College will accelerate Vaste’s technological development, while providing the College with an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge industry research – with lecturers and students working at the forefront of sustainable energy and digital technology.
We are delighted to have received this funding from the Scottish Government alongside Vaste Technologies. We’re excited to be working on this pioneering project in the biomass sector, demonstrating our College’s ability to make real difference in major growth sector. We look forward to working with Vaste on this project over the coming months.Shona Pettigrew, Director of Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange at Edinburgh College