We have state-of-the-art research and development biorefinery, pilot scale lab facilities and flexible office space available for hire. Part of the University of York, we are conveniently located on the outskirts of the city, close to major road and rail links for easy access from most parts of the UK.
Our facilities and staff expertise cater for companies that are looking for flexible hot desking, office or lab space to companies that want to scale up their products or processes with bespoke lab facilities and equipment. We can develop methods at laboratory scale and we can scale up processes to demonstrate their commercial potential, typically at the 1-100 litre or 1-100 kg scale.
Our biorefinery lab facilities are open-access, if you know what you want to do but don’t have the equipment to do it, then we can also arrange for you to spend time in our labs working alongside our experienced team. This can be on an ad hoc basis, or it can be a permanent co-working arrangement which could also include your own dedicated office space.
Renting lab space gives your company the opportunity to access specialist equipment and expertise without the initial outlay or upkeep costs as well as share the space with like-minded entrepreneurs and other companies in the bioeconomy. You can also access our dedicated researchers and support staff who are on hand to offer support and advice.
In our process development lab we have a 480sqft flexible hall, if you have a piece of equipment that needs the right infrastructure and dedicated space to make it work then our flexi hall could be the right place for it. The flexi hall has access to compressed air, N2 supply, steam, vacuum, chilled water, water and drainage services as well as a three-phase power supply.
As well as our in-house scale-up facilities the BDC offers access to state-of-the-art analytical facilities in research centres based at the University of York and has an extensive network of specialist partners offering complementary services.
Download our facilities for hire PDF.
To scale up our R&D and prove our ideas for a biological based nitrogen fertiliser alternative we needed access to specific lab equipment and expertise that we didn’t have in-house. The solution was to hire lab and office space at the Biorenewables Development Centre. This fantastic opportunity has given Azotic Technologies access to the high-spec equipment including fermentation, analytical equipment, protein purification and plant growth cabinets all under one roof. Steve Pearson, Chief Operating Officer at Azotic Technologies
Azotic Technologies specialises in the development and commercialisation of biologically based alternatives for nitrogen fertilisers. Initially using the BDC's laboratory and office space, in late 2021 thy made the decision to move their entire UK workforce to a site adjacent to the Biorenewables Development Centre in York.
We work with bio-based businesses and projects to increase awareness of their products, processes or project.
If you are an entrepreneur or a start-up in the bioeconomy, we can help you develop and commercialise your product or process.
We have state-of-the-art research and development biorefinery, pilot scale laboratory facilities and flexible office space available for hire.
We add value through market research activity, new and existing product or customer discovery research.
We have been part of several international projects, our expertise range from project management, communication and dissemination support to accessing our research and development knowledge and equipment.
We have a vast amount of experience in managing national and international projects as well smaller one to one projects for our pre-funded support programmes aimed at regional SMEs.
As part of responsible research and innovation, we actively encourage our academic, industry partners and clients to examine the associated processes, including intellectual property as well as understanding the appropriate regulatory environment.
Bio-based materials including various types of waste, can be assessed to determine how they can be used to produce valuable products.
We have several ways to work with us, including business advisory programmes and self-funded commercial options. We even have the option for you to hire our state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and office space.
