BIO hosts roundtable industrial biotechnology discussion

January 1, 1970

BY Suzanne Schmidt

Web exclusive posted August 5, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. CST

The Biotechnology Industry Organization hosted a roundtable discussion on August 1st, addressing how industrial biotechnology is crucial to United State's biofuels firms involved with chemical and liquid fuels. The roundtable focused on the U.S. International Trade Commission report, "Industrial Biotechnology development and adoption by the U.S. Chemical and Biofuels Industries." The report indicates that industrial biotech impacts productivity and competiveness of U.S. chemical and biological industries through innovative products and technology.

Guest speakers included Brent Erickson, executive vice president for the Industrial and Environmental Section of BIO, Brian Igoe, vice president and chief brand officer at Metabolix, Glenn Nedwin, executive vie president of technical enzymes for Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, as well as project leaders from the U.S. International Trade Commission and several other industry experts.

Staff from the U.S. International Trade Commission conducted research about biotechnology potentials and submitted results in a report published in early July. The report was an investigation of how biofuels and chemical industries, "impact the U.S. economy in using this biotechnology," said David Lundy, project leader for the U.S. International Trade Commission. "One of the advantages of biotechnology is energy savings, reduced waste generation when compared with conventional products and also sustainable production." Lundy and his team looked at a number of products for the report, including liquid biofuels, biodiesel and biobased chemicals.

Other speakers addressed the impacts that biotechnology has had on their industries. Topics addressed ranged from feedstocks, biodegradable plastics to solutions for cellulosic ethanol.

The roundtable discussion concluded with a questions and answer session, along with conversation between industry leaders. Not only does biotechnology provide opportunities for cost effective alternatives, "industrial biotechnology can help by enabling cleaner, more efficient processes that produce fewer environmental impacts," said Paul Winters, a spokesman for BIO.

For more information, visit www.bio.org.

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