AGP Firm Turning Waste Shells Into Swimming Pool Cleaner

Pennotec, a technology firm based in Y Ffôr near Pwllheli in Gwynedd, Wales, is entering the next stage of development for a new product turning waste shells from seafood processing into a swimming pool cleaner.

The Welsh firm, supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which assists companies with business growth, training and investment, works on finding new ways to turn industrial food waste into everyday products and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The company identifies and extracts materials that may previously have been classed as waste by food industries, such as apple cores and crustacean shells, and reuses them in other products.

Waste in food production, while far smaller than that generated by households, is significant, with 3.6 million tonnes of food surplus and waste generated by UK farms in 2017. Actions by companies such as Pennotec redirect this waste into resources for manufacturing and innovative production. Pennotec has developed a form of biotechnology that gently decomposes food waste using fermentation and natural enzymes in a way that preserves the valuable products in the by-product streams.

Previously focusing on research and development, Pennotec is now working with Welsh universities and is entering into the next stage of development of a natural water clarifier – essentially a water cleaning agent – extracted from waste shells from seafood processing for use in filter systems for swimming pools and hydrotherapy.

Owner and Managing Director of Pennotec, Dr Jonathan Hughes, states how his company’s approach to deriving value from food waste is different from other commercial methods, such as biogas production from anaerobic digestion, in that it is able to extract specific valuable products.

He said: “We have begun manufacturing and selling natural water purification products derived from crustacean (crab and prawn) shells. We have several similar products in the pipeline, chief amongst them are fat-mimicking functional fibres from fruits and vegetables – particularly surplus, out-graded apples and pomace from juice and cider manufacture. The established commercial technology for obtaining value from food waste is biogas production. This decomposes everything – both valuable materials and low value fats – to carbon dioxide, methane, water and heat. By extracting the valuable products first, we can use waste more sustainably."

David Notley of the Exelerator Consortium, which delivers the Welsh Government’s AGP, said: “Pennotec is another exciting and innovative Welsh company which is capitalising on the global need to create new products from sustainable sources. It is coming into a market in its infancy, but one where we need firms in Wales to have a presence as we future-proof our economy.”

The Welsh Government has been at the forefront of circular economy thinking in the UK, investing millions of pounds in boosting the country’s recycling rates – it boasts the best recycling rate out of the four nations of the UK – and circular opportunities for businesses, exemplified by injections of funding such as the £6.5 million set aside in April 2019 to help businesses move towards a focus on secondary recycled materials and reduce the reliance on raw materials.
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Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.

Father-and-son team behind Hensol Castle Distillery reveal their recipe for success

“The support from Business Wales AGP has been invaluable”

Father-and-son team behind Hensol Castle Distillery reveal their recipe for success

In our new blog series, we talk to the businesses we work with to find out more about their journey, ambitions and top tips for business success.

First under the spotlight is Hensol Castle Distillery. With exciting plans to launch a new gin visitor experience in one of Wales' most stunning historic properties, it's set to be a big year for father-and-son team Andy and Rhys Mallows.

Here, co-founder Andy shares what he's learned on his business journey so far.

Tell us about Hensol Castle Distillery

Hensol Castle Distillery is a joint venture between the Leeke family, who own The Vale Resort and Leekes, and my son Rhys and I, who founded our distillery business in April 2018.

The project will see a craft spirit distillery, gin school, visitor experience, bonded warehouse and bottling plant open at the 17th century, Grade I-listed Hensol Castle later this year.

The venture forms part of a £7 million scheme to bring the castle, which sits in the grounds of the four-star Vale Resort, back into use and transform it into a flagship tourism destination.

Visitors will be able to distil a bespoke bottle of gin made to their specific taste. They will also be able to tour the distillery operation, learn about the history and ingredients of different gins and enjoy gin tasting and cocktail sessions.

We will also produce a range of spirits for commercial sale including entry-level, mid-level and premium-quality gins, vodkas and other spirits including an exciting low calorie, low sugar and low alcohol range.

The ambition is for these to be available in local pubs and restaurants as well as major supermarkets, wholesalers and cash and carry outlets. We currently employ eight people, with that number set to rise significantly when the distillery and visitor centre open during October 2019.

What are your proudest moments in business so far?

I'm proud of developing our first product and taking it to market. Also, winning the Welsh Start-Up of the Year award at the 2019 South Wales Business Awards was a real boost for us. It's always great to be recognised for our hard work.

If you were starting again, what would you do differently?

Realise that perfection is the enemy of done. Once you have your vision and product concept cemented, have the confidence to bring it to market – rather than waiting for everything to be perfect.

Manage budgets carefully – cash flow is imperative for all start-ups and spending money on agencies can run away if you're not careful.

Have the confidence to be brave and different – it's part of what makes your business unique, so embrace it.

How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?

Our Business Wales AGP relationship manager Howard Jones has supported us with business planning, branding and labelling as well as assistance with financial modelling.

This support has proved invaluable in the development of the distillery and visitor centre. Without it, we would not have a successful company, and we wouldn't have secured a joint venture with a major Welsh company.

We have also secured a Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) grant of £158,000 to help with the design and build of the Hensol centre, which is crucial to the realisation of our plans.

What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting out?

• Have a clear strategy and vision for your company and products. Do your research to ensure you have a thorough understanding of your category, customer and consumer benefits. Be ruthless with your time and focus each week on pushing the business forward.

• Get trading as soon as you can – once you're open for business, you become a real company and not just a pipe dream. Prove your concept by meeting customers and consumers as quickly as you can.

• Have strong financial models and forecasts – we based ours on worse case scenarios to ensure the business is viable.

• Be brave – don't listen to nay-sayers or be afraid of the risks. While this is the scary part, taking risks is also part of the fun.

• Be resilient and recognise that competitors are going to make it tough for you.

• Recruit and build a team of people with different styles and strengths – both internally and in your supply chain.

• Meet and listen to as many consumers as you can. Try to sell to them personally as no-one is more passionate about your company and products than you.

• Enjoy the ride – it's going to be bumpy with lots of twist and turns, blind alleys and scary moments. Be prepared to work 80 hours a week for a minimum wage. However, remember that you're building your own company and products and nothing is more exciting or rewarding.

For more information on Hensol Castle Distillery, click here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.

CatSci, a Cardiff-based process R&D company on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme wins Excellence in Pharma award.

CatSci, a fast growing and adaptable contract research organisation (CRO) based in Cardiff, has triumphed at the global CPhI Pharma Awards by winning the prestigious Excellence in Pharma: Contract Services and Outsourcing category. Receiving one of the most esteemed awards in the pharmaceutical industry reflects CatSci’s exceptional process research and development services.

CatSci has been recognised for its innovative use of biocatalysis to significantly improve the environmental and economical sustainability of a generic API. CatSci’s development of a novel manufacturing process addressed route inefficiencies and an impending patent expiration. The scope of this project reflects the substantial interest that biocatalysis is currently receiving from both industry and academia.
 

Throughout the project CatSci exemplified its ability to provide both technical and commercial solutions through a consultative approach. CatSci worked collaboratively with its customer to ensure that the project received funding from the UK government. CatSci also utilised its proven combination of commercially-minded and highly-qualified scientific expertise to ensure that the novel manufacturing route would receive a return on investment.

The Accelerated Growth Programme provided CatSci with strategy support, an application for external funding and commercial consultancy.
 

Founded in 2004, the CPhI Pharma Awards attract a prestigious range of global applicants. Nominees in this year’s Excellence in Pharma: Contract Services and Outsourcing category included Merck, Cambrex and Alcami.

 Dr Ross Burn, Chief Executive Officer, CatSci, said: “We are ecstatic to have received this recognition from the CPhI Awards. This achievement is a fantastic stepping stone along our journey to becoming the leading process R&D company. Our category featured some exceptional nominees, so it truly is an honour to be considered alongside them for such a prestigious award.”
 

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.