Brussels, Belgium
13 September 2010

Tomorrow, at the Belgian Presidency Conference on the Knowledge Based Bio-Economy towards 20201, EuropaBio launches its own new policy guide in support of this vision. The guide entitled “Building a Biobased Economy for Europe in 2020” highlights the vast potential of Industrial Biotechnology and the biobased economy to help transform Europe’s economy and society. It outlines how this technology has the capacity to significantly improve economic competitiveness, provide environmental advantages and create new, high-value jobs. Together, these benefits make the bio-based economy an important provider of the smart, sustainable and inclusive solutions sought by the European Commission in its EU Strategy for 2020.

This new guide follows on from EuropaBio’s recently launched strategy document entitled “Europe 2020 and Biotechnology – Creating a competitive, connected and greener economy”, which provides a big picture overview of how comfortably the entire sector sits at the intersection of enhancement of quality of life, knowledge, innovation, productivity and environmental protection.

“Europe is at the forefront of industrial biotechnology and the bio-based economy” commented Ian Hudson, Chair of EuropaBio’s Industrial Biotech Council, “But we need the right policies and focus to develop and implement a clear strategy. Now is the time for our regulators and decision makers to make some bold regulatory moves. We must focus on developing and applying an integrated and holistic approach towards our competitiveness and sustainability to make sure Europe has the world’s leading bio-based economy for 2020.”

The goal of creating a society that is far less dependent on fossil fuels for energy and industrial raw materials is closer than ever to becoming a reality in Europe. Biotechnology plays a key role in achieving this through the sustainable processing and production of chemicals, materials and fuels from biomass and agricultural/organic waste, reducing our dependence on oil, coal and gas. This vision and opportunity, which will help to save energy in production processes and will lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, has a name: the bio-based economy.

Dirk Carrez, Director for Industrial Biotechnology concluded, “For the EU to harness the full potential of Industrial biotechnology we need coherent policy across many sectors. This includes climate action, energy security, renewable feedstock supply, research and innovation, agriculture, the environment and trade. But we also need the continued commitment of all stakeholders to make it happen. This guide and its policy recommendations represent part of our contribution towards making the Bio-based Economy for Europe a reality.”

1 Knowledge Based Bio-Economy towards 2020: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.
See: http://www.kbbe2010.be

Website: http://www.europabio.org

Published: September 13, 2010