South West College and Doherty Woodshavings Limited KTP 24_25 R5

A small animal bedding company in the South West is building a dedicated research and development department to design bespoke bedding products for specific animal health conditions. Most animal bedding is generic—straw, wood shavings, or paper pellets sold for general use. This project treats bedding as a precision tool. Different animals, and different medical conditions, require different material properties: dust levels, absorbency, thermal insulation, or antimicrobial qualities. A horse with respiratory problems needs low-dust bedding; a post-surgical rabbit needs a soft, non-abrasive surface that won't irritate wounds. Currently, few off-the-shelf products address these specific needs. If the company succeeds, it could create a new category of animal bedding: condition-specific products developed through systematic R&D rather than trial and error. This would directly improve animal welfare—reducing respiratory distress, preventing pressure sores, and lowering infection risks in veterinary and farming settings. It also strengthens the UK's agricultural supply chain by reducing reliance on imported generic bedding materials. The project is applied commercial research, not fundamental science, but its impact is immediate and tangible: better health outcomes for animals and a more resilient, innovation-driven manufacturing sector in the South West.