Scientists help local firm win Queen's Award

Lancaster University has helped a local business, EnviroSystems (UK) Ltd, win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation). These are the UK’s most prestigious awards for business, in this instance for substantial improvement in business performance and commercial success, to levels that are outstanding for the size of the company’s operations.

Scientists at the Lancaster Environment Centre advised the waste recycling firm Envirosystems on its new EnviroBed animal bedding product for farms. The firm, which employs four staff near Preston, produces the bedding from the fraction of recycled paper that would normally go to waste.

It won the award after developing the product and marketing it profitably. Chris Holroyd, Ben Herbert and Moira Decter from LEC’s Enterprise and Business Partnerships (EBP) team worked closely with Envirosystems’ John Singleton. With North West Development Agency, ERDF and Higher Education Innovation Fund support, the EBP team utilise the university’s research expertise for the benefit of companies across the North West.

Chris said: “We had to scratch our heads a little bit at first, but after some laboratory testing and with the help of Professor Dick Horrocks of the University of Bolton, we were able to implement a process to achieve a quality end product.”

John Singleton said: “EnviroSystems has developed a process which has taken five years, involving the designing, testing and manufacturing of bespoke processing equipment to produce a consistent product to put into the animal bedding market. The Lancaster University team has helped enormously with the handling and storage part of the business to achieve a stable product”.

Liz Russell said: “We’re eternally grateful to Chris and LEC. The help and technical support given has been pivotal in achieving quality and consistency of product. Assistance in particular, regarding storage of EnviroBed, has helped establish a blueprint to work to, both at the production plant and after delivery to the farms. We know we can go forward with confidence now and many thanks to all involved.”