About AgriFoodX
A UK life science company transforming agri-food by-products into high-value ingredients and sustainable materials for a circular bioeconomy.
Supporting innovation in the food supply chain within the context of a circular bioeconomy
AgriFoodX was founded in 2019 with a clear conviction: the millions of tonnes of agricultural and food processing by-products generated each year are not waste — they are an untapped resource of high-value biomaterials.
We use proprietary biorefinery technology to extract functional ingredients, sustainable fibres and bioactive compounds from these by-products. Our PhytoSource® branded ingredients serve the food, supplement and cosmetics industries, while our FibreForce™ process produces materials for paper, packaging and composites.
We work with leading universities, industrial partners and funders to translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable, environmentally sustainable products.
Our founding team
Prof Graham Bonwick
Co-founder & Director
Graham is a Professor of Applied Biology with deep expertise in the valorisation of agri-food by-products for sustainable packaging, functional food ingredients and food safety. He leads AgriFoodX’s research programme, commercial strategy and investor relations.
With a career spanning food, environmental and biomedical sciences, Graham has led multiple funded research projects in both academia and industry. Graham also brings expertise in food safety, quality and authenticity testing, bioactivity screening and bio-nanotechnology.
Dr Catherine Birch
Co-founder & Director
Catherine is a scientist and company director with practical expertise in functional foods, bioactive ingredients and project management. She oversees contracts, collaborations and the operational delivery of AgriFoodX’s project portfolio. AgriFoodX’s project management has been rated “excellent” by Innovate UK under her leadership.
Her work spans the development of functional foods for healthy ageing and bio-based packaging solutions from agri-food waste streams, including the production of biodegradable and compostable films for food and agricultural applications.
Catherine is also co-founder of FuturePack CIC, which promotes sustainable packaging solutions.
Built on a foundation of funded research
12+
Publicly funded R&D projects since 2019
6+
University research partnerships
Excellent
Innovate UK project management rating
Part of the UK bioeconomy ecosystem
AgriFoodX is a proud member of BBIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA), and an EIT Food supported startup.