Technical and commercial feasibility report on ‘Bluebells as Providers of Raw Materials for Cosmetic

Descriptions

Technical and commercial feasibility report on ‘Bluebells as Providers of Raw Materials for Cosmetic, Medicinal and Diagnostic Products’Bangor University wishes to commission a technical and commercial feasibility report, which will evaluate ‘Bluebells as Providers of Raw Materials for Cosmetic, Medical and Diagnostic Products’. This work is funded by the Welsh Government through the Academic Expertise for Business (A4B), programme.Further information on the project can be obtained by contacting Dr Vera Thoss (chs40e@bangor.ac.uk).BackgroundNative bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are an important species of the British countryside. In order to establish economic drivers for the protection and enhancement of native bluebell stocks Bangor University is interested in exploring the establishment of a supply chain for the extraction of oil and other chemicals. Initial work on the extraction of base oil from bluebell seeds carried out at Bangor University has established that the oil is suitable for use as an ingredient in different cosmetic products, for example soap, cremes or butters. Other potential extractives include sugars and DMDP ((2R,3R,4R,5R)-2.5-dihydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine). Currently there is little detailed information on the distribution of bluebells throughout the UK. Bangor University has identified existing large populations of bluebells that could be used as an initial source of seed.The technical and commercial feasibility report will inform the University with respect to the following:1.Identification of other wild plants that are used as a source of fine chemicals either through wild harvest or cropping. This will include looking at business models and approaches to the supply chain.a.Licensing rules with respect to harvesting seeds (and specific restrictions for native, hybrid and non-native varieties).b.Existing seed collection/harvesting techniques and technologies.2.Identification of existing and potential markets for the oil and chemicals including pricing information and requirements for establishing these as a product (routes required, time-scales, registration cost).3.Suggestions for a business model to develop an economically and environmentally sustainable supply chain.The report structure should include the following sections:•Executive Summary•Technology•Commercial Attraction•Intellectual Property•Approach/Route to Success•Project Planning & Resources•Return on InvestmentThe successful contractor will be expected to meet with representatives from the academic staff of Bangor University.TenderingTender responses should be no more than5 sides of A4 (excluding annexes which should not exceed a further 5 sides of A4), and should provide the information set out in the following paragraphs:•a proposal including:•a restatement of the aims of the work, with specific objectives;•the nature and scope of work you propose to undertake, and of any other information gathering;•the costing methodology to be used and a detailed breakdown of the costs and the pricing structure for the project;•an outline of your capabilities to undertake the work;•a timetable with clear milestones.