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BIOBASED FEEDSTOCKS
core RESEARCH programme: BIOBASED FEEDSTOCKS
In this core programme, we will develop new ways to extract the greatest value from a variety of sustainable chemical feedstocks, for example agricultural and manufacturing waste and other emerging potential feedstocks such as plastics and seaweed. Turning these waste streams and feedstocks into value-added chemicals is a key step in developing a circular economy, and it also prevents losing their already rich functionality.
To integrate renewable feedstocks into supply chains as alternatives to fossil fuels, this programme looks into challenges such as designing effective catalytic processes, being able to work with mixed and impure feedstocks, and developing or predicting specific properties from renewable resource upgrading.
PROGRAMME LEADS & Research Team

Simon's research focus is utilising renewable energy in catalytic transformations using a wide range of approaches, including electrocatalysis and visible light photocatalysis to upgrade resources such as CO2 and bio-ethanol into valuable commodity chemicals.
Programme Lead (Bath)

Ben's work aims to understand the reactions and manipulation of carbohydrates and proteins, in order to lead the design, synthesis and modification of potential therapeutic and biotechnologically applicable systems.
Programme Lead (Oxford)

Greg has experience in researching CO2 utilization in oxygenated block polymers, focusing on aspects of catalysis and functional material development. As one of iCAST’s core postdoctoral researchers based in Oxford, he will work on investigating sustainable polymer-biopolymer hybrid materials.
Core Researcher (Oxford)
key publications
Selective Catalytic Synthesis of 1,2- and 8,9-Cyclic Limonene Carbonates as Versatile Building Blocks for Novel Hydroxyurethanes. Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26, 7405–7415 (Hintermair, Davidson)
Sustainable catalytic protocols for the solvent free epoxidation and anti-dihydroxylation of the alkene bonds of biorenewable terpene feedstocks using H2O2 as oxidant. Green Chem., 2020, 22, 513-524 (Hintermair, Davidson)
Polymers from sugars and unsaturated fatty acids: ADMET polymerisation of monomers derived from D-xylose, D-mannose and castor oil. Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 2681-2691 (Buchard)
- A chemo-enzymatic oxidation cascade to activate C–H bonds with in situ generated H2O2. Nat. Commun., 2019, 10, 4178 (Freakley)
news and events
News
iCAST researcher leads clean energy application strand of £10m EPSRC grant
iCAST researcher leads clean energy application strand of £10m EPSRC grant University of Bath RESEARCH GRANTS Clean energy Image: ‘GaP disks on a photoelectrode for enhanced water splitting’ by Ludwig Hüttenhofer Dr Simon Freakley, iCAST core programme lead in Biobased Feedstocks, will lead the work package on clean energy applications on a £10m EPSRC grant […]
26/05/22
Events SETsquared
24-26 May 2022
West of England Sustainable Technologies Scale-Up Programme – Sustainability Workout
A 3 half-day online workshop for organisations looking to explore how they can be more sustainable.
07/04/22
9.30am-1.30pm
Events SETsquared
6-7 Apr 2022
West of England Sustainable Technologies Scale-Up Programme – Sustainability Workout
A 2-day online workshop for organisations looking to explore how they can be more sustainable.
04/04/22
9am-4.30pm
News
Podcast – Plastics for a sustainable future?
Podcast – Plastics for a sustainable future? University of Oxford Sustainable plastics podcast Do plastics have a part to play in a sustainable future? And what innovations are on the horizon? Professor Charlotte Williams OBE FRS is iCAST Deputy Director, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford and a Lead Researcher on the Oxford […]
29/03/22
Events SETsquared
8 June 2022
West of England Sustainable Technologies Scale-Up Programme – Construction Materials and Sustainability
Join us as we discuss some of the principles of sustainable construction, including designing for disassembly and adaptability.
18/03/22
9-10.30am
Events University of Bath
27-28 June 2022
Molecules to Materials for a Sustainable Future – CSCT Summer Showcase 2022
Join CSCT researchers and invited speakers to learn more about the latest in sustainability and the circular economy.
17/03/22
9.30am-5.00pm
News
Can a creative approach help fix the plastics problem?
Can a creative approach help fix the plastics problem? University of Oxford Plastic waste Design Museum London Image: Felix Speller, The Design Museum By Professor Charlotte Williams, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry Charlotte Williams OBE FRS is iCAST Deputy Director, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford and a Lead Researcher on the Oxford Martin […]
15/03/22
Events UKRI / KTN
15-17 Mar 2022
Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) 2022
Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) is back for 2022, organised by the UK Circular Plastics Network & KTN.
08/03/22
9am-4.30pm
News
Dr Hannah Leese receives IChemE medal for her work in early detection of disease
Dr Hannah Leese receives IChemE medal for her work in early detection of disease University of Bath Medals Image: IChemE The iCAST core programme lead in Sustainable Engineering Materials received the Nicklin Medal, an award to recognise talented chemical engineering researchers. An early career researcher, experts in food bioprocessing and a dedicated volunteer are among […]
03/03/22
Events SETsquared
29-30 June 2022
West of England Sustainable Technologies Scale-Up Programme – Sustainability Workout
A fully-funded, 2-day face to face workshop for organisations looking to explore how they can be more sustainable.
18/02/22
9.15am-4.00pm
membership
Tap into the expertise, facilities and networks of a partnership created to help you bring innovation in sustainable technologies to market.