From lab breakthroughs to industrial biomanufacturing

Built on decades of research, spinout company C3 Biotechnologies Ltd (C3 Biotech) turns waste carbon and biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals. Researchers, engineers and industry teams work side by side to move from the lab, through to piloting, to international scale up to deliver cost effective, next-generation renewable fuels. This collaborative, research-led approach addresses global challenges such as resource efficiency, climate change and energy shortages.

How the impact happens 

The C3 Biotech story shows that real impact in industrial research begins with relationships and a willingness to do things differently from the start. Rather than treating commercialisation as something that happens after discovery, University researchers, industry teams and government partners worked together throughout the research journey, as ideas moved from the lab into real production environments. The work was shaped through shared problem solving around what would function in practice, not just in theory – a model of collaborative innovation built around real-world application. 

Professor Nigel Scrutton describes the foundation of that approach simply: “Universities have a broad range of talent, infrastructure and equipment resources that companies like C3 Biotech require to move projects along.” He adds progress is made possible because, “The company works closely with The University of Manchester on a day-to-day basis.” That closeness mattered most when assumptions were tested, particularly during scale up, where innovation required adaptation rather than perfection. 

From partnership to platform

This collaboration has created a proprietary, industrial biomanufacturing platform that converts biomass and waste carbon sources into valuable fuels and chemicals including bio-acrylics, liquefied petroleum gas (from waste materials) and precursors of aviation fuel components. Through the ongoing relationship with University researchers, the company has refined its early lab-scale system and significantly scaled up its production capacity. It is commissioning first‑of‑a‑kind pilot facilities in Stockport and advancing a three‑year programme to biologically produce acrylics from waste streams.  

“Momentum is enabled by the connection of University expertise with industrial pace and investor readiness,”, says Louise Woods, whose role spans both the University and the company. “It was really exciting to see the work happen in real life. To go into a company and see how it actually worked on a day-to-day basis.” She describes the contrast in pace clearly: “It’s a very small team, so things happen quickly and you can move ideas on very fast.” When challenges emerged, continued access to University knowledge and equipment helped the team adapt rather than stall – turning obstacles into opportunities for further innovation. 

For Ryan McBerney, a senior scientist at C3 Biotech, commercialisation is inherently collective: “Commercialisation is a team sport. You don’t have to do everything on your own,” he says, "I've seen how innovation takes answers and technology out of the University and applies them to a real-world problem – without losing that curiosity that scientists have."

By sharing decisions, learning from setbacks and valuing diverse expertise, the partnership created a way of working where impact emerged through trust, adaptability and joint effort – not from any person acting alone. 

Moving forward 

The partnership between C3 Biotech and The University of Manchester is entering a new phase shaped by people, trust and shared practice. Over the next 12–18 months, researchers, engineers and commercial teams will continue working closely to commission first-of-a-kind pilot plants, learning together as laboratory insights are tested and adapted for industrial-scale production. 

For Ryan, this stage is about demonstrating readiness: “The goal is to show investors and commercial partners that we can produce on a large scale and bring a product to market.” That work will combine commercial equipment with systems designed in-house, continuing a hands-on, iterative approach built through collaboration. 

International partnerships will also play a growing role. Through a three-year contract with SPRIND, Germany’s federal innovation agency, the team is gaining access to mentorship, teaching and investment networks that help reduce the risks of scale up. 

Back in Manchester, continued reinvestment will support new PhD and postdoctoral researchers embedded in industrial settings. As Nigel puts it: “The link with the University is vitally important.” Together, the partners are scaling not just technology, but a sustained model of collaborative innovation founded on reciprocity and long-term partnership.