27 March 2025
Business and Hairdressing students at Fife College were recently treated to an inspiring talk from Kirkcaldy-based entrepreneur Brian McCormack, founder of McCormack Innovation.
Brian shared his journey of developing dissolvable materials over the past eight years, starting with the ground-breaking FlushAway stool collector, which was created to improve return rates for bowel cancer screening tests.
He went on to demonstrate his next innovation: a fully dissolvable wet wipe, designed as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wipes. Students watched in amazement as a normal wet wipe remained intact in water, while Brian’s version dissolved completely within minutes. Used globally in the medical and cosmetic industries, the material sparked discussion among the group about innovation, sustainability, and real-world applications.
As part of the session, Brian also set the students a challenge to generate new ideas for using the dissolving material - encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
With many of the students studying Sustainable Management and passionate about climate change, Brian’s story served as a powerful case study in green innovation. He also shared insights into the patent process and the importance of protecting intellectual property.
Jordan Williams who is studying HND Business (with Management) commented:
“Brian’s story was really inspiring. His persistence and passion through adversity gave me the confidence to continue the pursuit of my own goals.”
Tracey Thaw, Lecturer in the Department of Business, Management and Professional Programmes at Fife College said:
“We’re very grateful to Brian for coming to talk to our students. His journey in innovation is really inspiring, and many of the students said it was the best talk they had ever been to. I’m looking forward to witnessing their own future innovations and entrepreneurship."