Make better business decisions through contract research
Businesses are under more pressure than ever – rising costs, changing customer expectations and increasing environmental regulation all add risk to decision-making.
Different frameworks are changing how organisations measure emissions, while supply chains increasingly require product-level data. Without evidence and resource, responding effectively can be difficult. Teesside University’ s contract research provides short, focused, evidence-led analysis to support your investment decisions through approaches such as lifecycle analysis.
Lifecycle analysis examines the full impact of a product or process- from raw materials to end of life- helping identify emissions, hidden costs and areas where change will have the greatest impact.
Turning uncertainty into evidence
Global food manufacturer Quorn ® is working towards a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations by 2030.
As part of this, the business identified CO2 emissions from its bioreactors as both a challenge and an opportunity. It needed to understand the cost of integrating carbon capture and assess viable technologies and reuse opportunities.
Working with Teesside University, Quorn ® undertook a focused research project to assess the feasibility of carbon capture and utilisation within its production.
The project combined lifecycle assessment with technical and economic modelling. Different approaches were tested, including established and emerging carbon capture technologies.
The result was a clear, evidence-based view of which options were technically and economically viable, alongside a better understanding of wider impact at site and cluster level.
The value behind contract research
Contract research generates new, independent evidence specific to your business, answering defined questions using data, modelling and technical analysis. Projects are usually completed in a matter of months, supporting decisions across investment, process change and compliance.
Outputs are practical and decision-ready:
> clear analysis of options
> validated performance and impact
> a structured report for board-level decisions.
This work may be eligible for R & D tax relief, reducing overall cost, while any new intellectual property created belongs to the business to protect and commercialise.
Without robust analysis, businesses risk:
> investing in the wrong solution
> underestimating long-term costs
> struggling to meet compliance requirements.
Lifecycle assessment addresses this directly. It shows where impact sits and allows businesses to compare options based on real data, not assumptions.
Bibi Rodgers-Hunt of Quorn with Ellis Marshall and Dawid Hanak of Net Zero.
Evidence that supports real decisions
For Quorn ®, the outcome was clear. The research provided the evidence needed to assess carbon capture options and make informed decisions on next steps. The company is now exploring pilot opportunities based on the findings, with wider interest from organisations across the Teesside Industrial Cluster.
Contract research reduces uncertainty before major decisions are made, ensuring they hold up technically, commercially and against regulation. It provides access to specialist expertise without longterm commitment and builds a stronger case for investment.
In an economic climate where getting decisions wrong is costly, this matters more than ever.
We loved working with Teesside University as they were objective experts. It can be difficult in business to access insight without an agenda, so it was incredibly valuable to have the most up-to-date research applied to our specific setup. We look forward to collaborating again in the future.
Bibi Rodgers-Hunt, Head of Sustainability, Quorn
Find out how contract research can guide your business decisions.
96 | Tees Business