New tenant Fairman Knight and Sons UK have taken office space in the innovation space at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, at the heart of the UK Food Valley.
Fairman Knight upcycle organic food waste using ‘bioconversion’ into Black Soldier Fly larvae which is dried and used as sustainable pet, animal and aquaculture feed as a sustainable low carbon alternative to soya.
The waste from production makes a high quality fertilizer and the larvae can be further rendered to a highly anti-microbial bio-oil that could supplement antibiotics.
The sustainable family farming business moved from its former base at a farm north of Grantham and is developing an operational site in Spalding.
Fairman Knight have been supported by the UK Food Valley team by linking them to funding opportunities, office space and helping them to connect with fresh produce businesses in the region.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at the county council, said:
“Fairman Knight is clearly an innovative business and has chosen to benefit from the opportunities on offer by being located at The Hub. Food and farming is evolving and sustainability and research will be at the heart of it.
“The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone is leading the way nationally in supporting this vital sector.”
The Hub has been gradually filling up with tenants who are taking advantage of its fantastic location, modern work spaces and proximity to world-leading research and development facilities on-site.
Julian Knight, said: “My co-founder William and I, wanted to set up a sustainable family farming business that would stand the test of the next 30 years.
“Essentially we produce a low carbon animal protein and one of most sustainable fertilizers possible – and we have zero waste.
“We wanted to be close to our partners in the University of Lincoln and close to our main production site. We are an Agritech business so we want to be based in this new centre for the industry.
“We plan to have two production sites operational in 2025 in Greater Lincolnshire with a minimum of 20 staff employed.”
The company has recently received three grants - Grants4Growth from South Holland District Council, a grant from the South Kesteven District Council Rural Prosperity Fund and also won the Innovate UK Competition for Eastern England Agri-tech.
Find out more about the Hub at www.southlincolnshirefez.co.uk/hub