Developing a circular model for low-emission food production
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Addressing the UK's food security vulnerability
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Promoting sustainable and circular food production
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Academic-industry collaboration
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Demonstrating scalability and commercial potential
The United Kingdom currently imports 46% of its food supplies, creating significant vulnerabilities in the nation's food security. Recent global events, including droughts, floods, and international conflicts, have exposed the risks inherent in long supply chains. Combined with the environmental impact of long-distance food transportation and mounting pressures from population growth and climate change, there is an urgent need for more sustainable, locally based food production systems.
The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC), Kilnsey Park Estate, and the University of York's Centre for Novel Agricultural Products have partnered on an innovative two-year project funded through Innovate UK Novel Low Emission Food Production Systems competition. This collaboration aims to develop a sustainable, circular model for nutrient-rich food production using vertical farming methods.
The project combines each partner's unique expertise: Kilnsey Park Estate provides the implementation site, the BDC contributes technical expertise and testing capabilities, and the University of York's Centre for Novel Agricultural Products leads research optimisation. Together, they are creating and testing a scalable model for local food production while improving Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) technologies.
At the heart of the operation is a commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles, supported by life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis. The facility aims to utilise on-site renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power, solar energy, and biogas from anaerobic digestion. In addition, the team are exploring innovative growing methods, testing various growth mediums such as locally sourced sheep's wool and hemp, while developing nutrient-rich biofertilisers from anaerobic digestion by-products.
Outcomes
The project has achieved significant milestones. Starting with a basic racking system, it has evolved through several phases to reach its current expansion into a larger modular building with a custom racking system. The team has implemented rigorous testing protocols across all three partner sites, analysing nutritional content and monitoring growing conditions to ensure optimal production.
The project's commercial strategy builds upon the successful model established at Spark York through GrowIt York, where local restaurants incorporate micro-greens from an onsite vertical farming system into their menus. This real-world implementation has proven the operation can be scaled effectively and generated crucial insights from the market.
The commercial potential extends beyond the immediate implementation, with marketable growing systems and methodologies that can be replicated across other UK locations. The academic-business partnership has also proven to be central to the project's success.
Jamie Roberts, Managing Partner at Kilnsey Park says:
The collaboration with the Biorenewables Development Centre and the University of York has been instrumental in accelerating our progress. This academic-business partnership has not only provided us with invaluable technical expertise but also opened doors to new funding opportunities. The strength of our working relationship has created a dynamic environment where real innovation happens, showing how industry and academia can work together to create practical solutions for sustainable food production.
This leading initiative demonstrates how innovative agricultural solutions can address food security challenges while maintaining environmental sustainability. Through its approach to vertical farming and circular economy principles, the partnership is creating a blueprint for the future of sustainable agriculture in the UK, contributing to shorter supply chains and Net Zero targets while ensuring the production of nutritious, locally grown food.
This project is a collaboration between the Kilnsey Park, BDC and the University of York, and is funded by Innovate UK.
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