National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)
Sector focus: Life Sciences and cross-cutting
Established by the Universities of Liverpool, Edinburgh, Nottingham, and Southampton with funding from BBSRC and Innovate UK, the Centre unites universities, industry and policymakers to translate biofilm research into real-world solutions. Through strategic partnerships with global companies including Unilever and NSG Pilkington, alongside innovative SMEs, NBIC drives transformative innovation across healthcare, manufacturing, water, energy and consumer sectors.
Delivering impact
- NBIC-Liverpool is pioneering innovation in next-generation antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and anti-viral surfaces and coatings
- Biofilms underpin major global challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to industrial contamination
- Strategic partnerships with Unilever, NSG Pilkington and SMEs accelerate commercialisation and cross-sector innovation
- Drives economic growth, industry standards and real-world adoption of advanced biofilm technologies.
Who is it for
- From global corporations to innovative SMEs tackling biofilm challenges
- Healthcare and public health organisations addressing infection and antimicrobial resistance
- Manufacturers across food, water, energy and infrastructure sectors
- Policymakers and government shaping regulation, standards and innovation strategy.
What’s next
- Expansion into a world-leading Centre of Excellence in Advanced Biofilm Technologies to boost innovation, jobs and regional growth in the Liverpool City Region
- Scaling regional collaboration to UK and international partners to drive global leadership in biofilm science.
