Science minister Lord Sainsbury

The latest allocation of funding for projects that use biotechnology has been announced by the government.

Under the Department for Trade and Industry's Bio-wise programme, companies in the UK manufacturing and services sectors are encouraged to consider the environmental and economic benefits of the new technology.

In the latest round of funding, grants worth £1million have been given to six projects.

These include the development of a seaweed-based metal coating material, a hand-held water pollution testing kit and new methods for recycling the metals in old computers and mobile phones.

Investment from government and industry now totals nearly £9.5 million since 1999.

"The Bio-wise programme is a great opportunity for UK biotech companies to test their exciting new discoveries and proto-type products in large-scale industrial environments," said science minister Lord Sainsbury.

"These innovative projects highlight the potential benefits that biotechnology has to offer, both in terms of improvements to industry and the environment.

"Turning new ideas and innovation into jobs and prosperity is crucial to maintaining the strength of the UK's economy, and our leading position at the cutting edge of technology."