British Sugar has tasked Adapt Low Carbon Group with helping to improve the carbon and water footprints of its processing plants.

Adapt, part of the University of East Anglia, will advise British Sugar on opportunities for developing new products and technologies that could help future-proof the business.

Adapt will also seek to identify ways to maximise British Sugar’s factory processing efficiency and capacity.

British Sugar has four factory sites in East Anglia and the Midlands, including one in Bury St Edmunds. In the last decade it has invested more than £300million improving efficiency and competitiveness and spends about £2m a year in research, development and education.

Adapt will provide an innovation network enabling British Sugar to access, verify, engage and partner with cutting edge technology and research organisations.

Liliya Serazetdinova, bio-renewables expert, said: “The project is an exciting new piece of work, which will help British Sugar to be more competitive, energy efficient and save costs. We have a lot of experience in renewable energy, bio-based and bio-renewable products, agri-technologies, adding value to organic waste streams, and carbon footprinting.

“Innovation is our bread and butter so we’re looking forward to delivering breakthrough technologies.”

Ben Bishop, business development manager at British Sugar, said: “Using external networks is extremely valuable in identifying innovative technologies and it is exciting to work with Adapt, who have great insight into a broad range of sectors both in the East of England and across Europe.”