Launch of the Biofuel Research Centre (BfRC) - the first of its kind in the UK
In December 2007, the new Biofuel Research Centre (BfRC) at Napier University, the first of it’s kind in the UK, was launched at a high profile event held at Craighouse campus. The launch was hosted by Morag Prowse, Dean of the Faculty of HLSS and was attended by over 90 high profile delegates from industry, academia and business. Dr Andrew Rickman OBE officially launched the centre, in the company of the Principal and The Minister of State for Scotland, David Cairns MP, both of whom also spoke at the launch.
David Cairns, Minister of State at the Scotland Office, said: "While the global production of biofuels is doubling every few years, there have been negative impacts on biodiversity, food prices and carbon emissions as land has been inappropriately cleared to plant first-generation crops. There are already innovative projects in Scotland trialling biofuels from more sustainable sources than food crops such as waste material, but of course more research and development needs to be done. I am therefore delighted to be at the launch of this innovative centre today and to hear more about its work programme which has already attracted interest from around the world."
The launch event was followed that evening by a champagne reception (sponsored by Enterprise Ireland) and business dinner for 30 of the most high profile guests. Guests included the MDs of some of the largest companies in the sector as well has key agencies such as the BiA, Scottish Enterprise and the UK-KTN. Dinner, which was hosted by the Principal, was kindly sponsored by Scottish Development International and included an address from the Minister for Enterprise Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather MSP.
Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Napier University, said: “Sustainability is a hugely relevant issue and one of Napier’s highest priorities. The opening of this centre not only shows our commitment to this, but also our dedication to lead new areas of research, in line with our vision to become Scotland’s best modern university.”
The BfRC, led by Dr Martin Tangney, is committed to researching and developing second-generation biofuel from a potentially diverse range of non-food crops and waste matter.
As an expert in the biological production of butanol, Dr Tangney has already secured £500,000 in research funding to study biofuel and is establishing the centre to act as a portal between industry, government, academia and the public; giving accurate and consistent messages across all relevant parties.