By Scott Wright
FUNDING has been raised for a project to reintroduce sugar beet production to Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise has given backing to analyse the potential environmental, societal, and economic impact of producing the crop after it was successfully harvested in Scotland for the first time in 50 years.
The consortium behind the project includes the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, SAC Consulting and Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society.
According to project developers, sugar beet is a key building block for the development of sustainable supply chains and a bioeconomy, which uses natural materials instead of petrochemical compounds in manufacturing.
A local source of sugar beet could make feasible the development of an ethanol-producing biorefinery in Grangemouth, they say, ultimately supporting a bio-based chemicals industry.
Ian Archer, technical director at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, said: “Growing sugar beet in Scotland once again is a huge opportunity to re-invent the economy, build sustainability into manufacturing supply chains, and secure jobs for the future. Many of the biggest consumer goods manufacturers have committed to net-zero caron targets over the next two decades and a big part of that drive will be replacing the use of petrochemicals with natural materials.
“You cannot have a chemicals industry without a feedstock and to retain the sector in Scotland we need a local supply and the supply chains that follow. In northern Europe, that crop is sugar beet and growing it for ethanol production will not only diversify farmers’ income stream, but could allow them to be part of a green alternative to fossil fuels.”
Andrew Henderson, of Scottish Enterprise’s advanced manufacturing team, said: “This is a hugely exciting project, which could yield transformational outcomes for businesses. Our funding will help unlock a vital next step for this project to support sustainable fuel and chemicals production through biotechnology, and ultimately create new jobs and investment to strengthen communities across Scotland. Sugar beet production can also help deliver our green economic recovery and transition to a net-zero economy, through benefits like better air quality via carbon capture, and enhanced quality of soil.”
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