Scottish life sciences sector can help drive transition to a low carbon economy
Scotland’s life sciences sector stands to benefit from the unparalleled opportunities in the low carbon materials and technology market, helping to realise the Scottish Life Sciences Strategy‘s target of doubling turnover to £6.2 billion by 2020.
To support this strategy, Scottish Enterprise has published an industry guide, Life Sciences – Low Carbon Opportunities in Scotland, which outlines the potential prospects for the sector in the area of low carbon and the resources available to achieve these. As a world leader in low carbon technologies, Scotland is well placed to extend these opportunities into other sectors, as well as exporting its low carbon products and services.
Julia Brown, director of chemical and life sciences, Scottish Enterprise, says there is significant potential for the 320 businesses currently working in the life sciences sector to capitalise on low carbon opportunities:
“There are many ways that Scottish life sciences companies can make the most of low carbon opportunities such as improving efficiency of existing operations, using Scotland’s extensive biotechnology knowledge to assist in the development of ‘greener’ products and increasing the use of heat or transport fuels that use less carbon resources.
“For Scotland to be globally competitive in this market, we must develop our low carbon life sciences capabilities further to build upon our reputation as the ideal partner of choice in major life sciences projects.”
She added that in particular the guide outlines how the life sciences industry can benefit from developing an innovative and sustainable approach:
“Low carbon opportunities exist across a wide range of areas in the life sciences sector, such as biofuels, telemedicine and industrial biotechnology. For example,
telehealth and telecare can deliver transport efficiencies and reduce costs and emissions.
“Equally, industrial biotechnology presents a significant market opportunity. At present, most pharmaceuticals are produced using chemical manufacturing processes. If we can harness excellence in enzyme technology development and application, we can apply it to these processes making them more ‘green’, cost competitive and sustainable –accessing new market opportunities worldwide.
“Scottish company Ingenza, for instance, is now developing enzymes to be used as catalysts in chemical manufacturing processes and has increased its workforce significantly over the last five years.”
Scottish companies can download the guide and access support to help develop low carbon practices here.