Renewable Specialty Chemicals

Natural biological processes have been employed for food production for more than 8,000 years. Bread, cheese, yogurt, beer and wine, vinegar, and many other foods are produced through microbial fermentation or enzymatic activity.

The challenge of conversion of biomass – particularly lignocellulosic biomass and agricultural waste – into chemicals, materials and fuels is being approached in multiple directions and a slew of technologies are now being developed, tested and deployed in semicommercial or pilot stage.

Harnessing microbes to change the world, one process at a time.

Vigorous government support has played a key role in encouraging China’s development of a bio-based economy, especially in regard to biofuels. 

All programs at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters with valid press credentials working full time for print, broadcast or web publications.

During today’s plenary lunch session at BIO's 2011 World Congress in Toronto, Royal DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma gave a passionate keynote address and accepted the 2011 George Washington Carver Award for his company’s efforts to promote bio-based products over those relying on fossil-fuel resources.

The revolution in synthetic biology has enabled innovative manufacture of biofuels and the development of biological processes for the manufacture of bulk and fine chemicals.