RESEARCH FACILITIES
Research Facilities
Growing Kent & Medway has invested in research facilities and technical experts to drive sustainable innovation for the food system. Explore how our research facilities are supporting local businesses to innovate and grow.
Our Research Hubs
Locations
Located in the ‘Garden of England’, our hubs sit between London’s markets and European supply chains via Dover and Calais. This strategic position allows Growing Kent & Medway to support the horticulture and food sectors, linking regional production to international trade and national food security.
Niab at
East Malling
Smart Glasshouses
Growth Rooms
Rhizolab
Protected Cropping
Medway Food Innovation Centre
Prototyping & NPD
Novel Processing
Technical Labs
Food Accelerator
BioTechnology Hub
Cell Image Analysis
Biomolecular Science
NMR Facility
Biosensor Development
Agri-Engineering Hub
Engineering Labs
Fabrication Workshops
Verena Holmes Building
Maker Space
Find Out More
Our four research facilities provide the specialised expertise and equipment to address challenges across the food system. They offer world-class R&D, from sustainable crop production through to advanced food processing.
East Malling
Advancing resilient horticulture through world-leading research in plant breeding, pest and disease control, and sustainable growing systems.
Resource Efficiency
Genetics and Breeding
Climate Resilience
Pest and Pathogen Ecology
Orchard Management
University of Kent
Solving plant-based challenges with cutting-edge research into sustainable packaging, protein alternatives, and crop health.
Pathogen Control
Sustainable Packaging
Compound Extraction
Soil Microbiome
Biocontrols and Breeding
University of Greenwich
Accelerating new product development through state-of-the-art food processing technologies and commercial-scale research space.
Alternative Proteins
Product Reformulation
Flavour and Texture
Food Safety and Storage
Sustainable Packaging
Canterbury Christ Church University
Advancing agricultural productivity through precision robotics, automation, and industrial-grade additive manufacturing.
Agriculture Automation
Smart Farming
Sustainable Manufacturing
Materials Testing
Additive Manufacturing