Moving towards bio-based economy: Bio-Based Economy Conference at BIOTECHNICA 2009
Opportunities and risks, trends and prospects of a bio-based economy
biotechnology, already of huge importance in medicine, is rapidly gaining ground in other industries. The use of renewable resources, biological products and biotechnological processes is opening up opportunities for sustainable production in traditional areas of the economy such as the automotive, chemical, and energy industry. Biotechnology offers great scope for the efficient use of energy and resources as well as the development of entirely new products, and thus lays the basis for a new kind of growth. In view of this potential, Biotechnica will be holding its first conference on the bio-based economy. The keynote theme of the Bio-Based Economy Conference 2009 will focus on integrated biorefineries and bioeconomies.
The one-day conference on 6 October will examine the trends and developments, obstacles and prospects that characterize the shift towards a broader bio-based economy. For example, how can energy, chemicals and other resources be sustainably produced from renewable raw materials? What impact will biotechnology have in that? Does Europe, or the rest of the world, have sufficient agricultural or forest areas to produce the quantities of resources required? Indeed, what kind of resources will be needed? These issues will be addressed in four conference sessions and a panel discussion, which take up the theme of the bio-based added value chain.
The list of illustrious speakers from industry, science and politics includes representatives from the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the European Commission as well as the chemical companies DSM White Biotechnology B.V., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Roquette Frères S.A., Stora Enso Oyj, Süd-Chemie AG, Volkswagen AG, and others. Various concepts and technologies for biorefineries in France and Germany will be presented and their integration into the supply chains of the chemical industry, thus passing through the production chain into general manufacturing.
The Conference will illustrate the potential of biotechnology by presenting examples from various sectors such as biomaterials, textiles, pulp & paper industry and the consumer goods sector. These are all areas where bio-based production has already proven invaluable. Another interesting item on the agenda will be the presentation of programs supported by the European Union. The concluding panel discussion will consider how the European economy can be steered towards a bio-based economy, which conditions will need to be created to achieve this transformation and how the leading position enjoyed by science and technology in Europe can be maintained and extended.
The Bio-Based Economy Conference is aimed at scientists and engineers, representatives from global players as well as SME’s, industry associations, bio-regions and politics and will be held in English. Due to its international outlook it offers an ideal platform for business leads and making new contacts. The conference will be organized by Capgemini Consulting in cooperation with Deutsche Messe Hannover. It takes place on Tuesday, 6 October 2009, from 9.15 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. in Saal Bonn at the Convention Center, which is located at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds.
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