Project factsheet

Project factsheet

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Project evaluation

Evaluation

BEACON+ Formative Review

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BEACON+ – Please note this project has now closed.

Project description

Led by Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science (IBERS), in collaboration with its partners at Bangor and Swansea Universities, the BEACON initiative integrates expertise and facilities to assist companies in developing new products and processes or to upgrade existing processes, using low carbon technologies including biomass where possible. Backed with £8 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), BEACON aims to establish Wales as a Biorefining Centre of Excellence and make a vital contribution to mitigating climate change and growing the Welsh bioeconomy.

Since July 2019, an additional £440,000 EU funds has expanded the BEACON project across all Wales, tackling specific local challenges, while connecting new partners and making full use of region-specific natural resources.

Delivery model

The main aim of BEACON is to use the concept of biorefining to work with end user companies, in order to identify a wide range of products from plant material which are tailored to their requirements.

BEACON offers businesses with interests in the biorefining sector access to the research, expertise and knowledge base of universities in Wales. BEACON aims to contribute to developing renewable energy and assist in the transition to a low carbon economy with an overall objective of mitigating the impact of climate change, and focuses on the development of a viable Welsh bio-economy through the expansion of green supply chains.

Geographical coverage

The project will benefit local authorities across the whole of Wales.

Contact details

Name: Melissa Mason
Email: mgm@aber.ac.uk
Telephone: 01970 823042
Address: Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Ceredigion, SY23 3EB
Website: Website
Twitter: Twitter

Additional details

LinkedIn: External link