Connecting the food and drink sector to the health and life science sector
Schedule
Wed Mar 11 2026 at 09:30 am to 02:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
University of the West of England | Bristol, EN
About this Event
Innovation in sustainable materials and packaging within the food sector has accelerated rapidly in recent years, driven by advances in biopolymers, smart technologies, and the circular‑economy. New biodegradable materials such as PLA, PHA demonstrates strong mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties. Another example is the production of plastic free packaging materials manufactured from seaweed.
Innovation in the food sector offers opportunities for the life sciences sector, where the need for sterile, stable, and environmentally responsible packaging is growing. Advances such as bio‑nanocomposite coatings, antimicrobial films, and improved barrier materials have clear relevance for pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices. Circular‑economy business models, driven by regulatory pressure and consumer expectations, can reduce waste and lifecycle impact for life science companies.
This workshop will explore the drivers and explore how cross‑sector innovation can accelerate the development of sustainable products in the health and life science sector and how advances in bio-inspired materials can be used in the food sector.Connecting the Food and Drink Sector to the Health and Life Science Sector
Join us for an exciting in-person event where we bring together the food and drink industry and the health and life sciences community. It’s a great chance to network, share ideas, and explore how these two dynamic sectors can collaborate for a healthier future. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
P R O G R A M M E
09.30 Registration
10.00 Welcome and introduction
10.10 Why the NHS needs innovation in sustainable materials
– Logan Ryan, West of England Health Innovation
10.40 The regulatory driver to the adoption of sustainable materials
– Richard Marriot, Ecosurety
11.10 Refreshment break
11.30 Plastic free packaging from seaweed
- Kim Lees, Notpla
12.00 The big ask of new sustainable materials and packaging for the food sector
- Charlotte Keenan, Yeo Valley
12.30 Q&A, ask the panel and next steps
13.00 Networking lunch
14.00 Close
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kim Lees : Senior National Account Manager
visit | follow us @notpla
Kim Lees at Notpla: Kim has spent the last nine years in the packaging industry, specializing in sustainable packaging, though she has experience with all materials. Kim has worked with Notpla for nearly 2 years, focusing on innovation and plastic free solutions without greenwashing and offering advice on how businesses can adopt truly sustainable options.
Kim has experience working alongside waste collectors to build a network and solution enabling consumers to implement the best end of life solution for packaging.
Notpla won the Earthshot Prize in 2022. They focus on researching and engineering materials to solve the problem of plastics. They engineer packaging that will naturally disappear in nature, the core material for this is seaweed. They have a portfolio of products, including food packaging, edible packaging and seaweed paper.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard Marriott : Refill Project Manager
visit
Richard is head of refill and reuse at Ecosurety, a Bristol-based packaging compliance scheme and B Corp that helps businesses comply with environmental regulations and collaborate on take-back and recycling schemes.
Richard has implemented reusable packaging solutions across multiple sectors and channels, including home delivery, in-store and on-the-go and has a deep knowledge of what’s needed to deliver circular packaging systems.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why attend
This Workshop Will Explore
- Technology transfer opportunities between sectors
- Case studies of material and packaging innovations
- Circular-economy models for healthcare logistics
- Collaboration pathways between industry, academia, and innovators
Why Life Science Organisations Should Attend
- Gain an insight into innovation pipelines developed in the food sector.
- Lower‑carbon materials aligned with sustainability and ESG frameworks.
- Understand key challenges in the food sector:
- Packaging sterility
- Stability and shelf-life
- Waste reduction
- Cold-chain integrity
- Chance to build partnerships and broaden relationships.
Why Food‑Sector Organisations Should Attend
- Explore high‑value markets (pharma, diagnostics, med‑tech).
- How can biopolymers, sensors, and smart coatings have direct transferability to life sciences.
- Help to identify partnerships, licensing, and co‑development pathways.
- Life sciences face strong regulatory pressure and need sustainable solutions.
Where is it happening?
University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
