Northern partnership to drive UK’s bio-based economic future
Posted on Thursday 13 November 2025
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, the University of York, Teesside University, and CPI, have announced a partnership which aims to create around 5,000 skilled jobs across the two regions.
The partnership will bring together universities, businesses and local government to drive innovation in sustainable materials and chemicals, helping to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Launched by David Skaith, Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, and Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, at an event in Darlington, the collaboration aims to grow the regional bioeconomy by £5bn, support 100 new bio-based start-ups, and a further 5,000 people are expected to gain new skills through apprenticeships and training programmes tailored to the sector.
Leading centres
Currently, about 96% of manufactured goods rely on chemicals made from fossil fuels, which account for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These include items such as cleaning products, clothing, cosmetics and electronics.
Professor Sarah Thompson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York, said: “This partnership brings together some of the North’s leading centres of innovation to turn world-class research into real benefits for our region.
“By combining our strengths in areas such as sustainable chemistry and biotechnology expertise, we’re helping local industries develop cleaner, greener technologies that support jobs and drive growth. It’s about using our research to make a real difference, for communities here in the North and take the lead in creating a more sustainable future everywhere.”
By developing bio-based alternatives, the regions hope to help the UK transition to a low-carbon, circular economy while creating high-value employment and attracting global investment.
High-quality jobs
David Skaith, Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, said: “York & North Yorkshire is home to national leaders in developing plant and biological alternatives to fossil fuels.
“Over 10% of the UK's bioeconomy workers are based in York & North Yorkshire, with more than 7,000 businesses focused on science and technology in agriculture, the production of alternative materials to fossil fuels and sustainable food production.
“This collaboration with Tees Valley will support growth in York & North Yorkshire with the opportunity of creating 5,000 high-quality jobs, supporting the UK’s environmental ambitions and attracting global investment to our region.”
Major step
Recent projects at the University of York include working with industry partners to develop new sustainable technologies for use in healthcare, agriculture, cosmetics and wastewater treatment.
Collaboration aims to improve the performance of new medicines, increase food production and reduce the use of unsustainable ingredients in cosmetics. The project forms part of the BioYorkshire programme, which aims to create jobs and boost the regional economy through green innovation.
Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, said: “This collaboration is another major step in driving forward Teesside’s growth as a powerhouse for industry and innovation. By teaming up with York and North Yorkshire, forward-thinking industry leaders and our outstanding academic institutions, we’re combining our strengths to attract new investment and create thousands of good, well-paid local jobs.”
Skilled workforce
Researchers at York are also working with Yorkshire Water Services Ltd to study how groups of microorganisms respond to engineering design in wastewater treatment. The project will develop digital models to improve anaerobic digestion — a process in which bacteria break down organic matter such as food or animal waste without oxygen — and enhance technologies to recover valuable resources from wastewater.
Professor Stephen Cummings, Teesside University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this partnership and look forward to using and sharing our expertise to help continue to drive innovation, advance research, and help to develop the skilled workforce needed to meet future challenges.”
For more information about how York is supporting the bioeconomy visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/research/bioeconomy/
Further information
The University of York has also established the Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP) to train the next generation of bioscientists for careers in academia, industry, and policy.
The YBDTP unites the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York with Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam, and Teesside Universities, and is anchored by a York-led hub spanning York, Hull, and Teesside. The programme focuses on strengthening the UK bioeconomy by developing and retaining skilled researchers in the region, with placements beyond academia to help students apply their expertise across industry, entrepreneurship, and policy sectors.
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