BIO 2006 Media Brunch to Feature Foods and Consumer Products Produced Through Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30, 2006) – BIO will host the media brunch “From Food to Fuel to Fashion: Industrial Biotech Does It All,” on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 9:45-11:30 a.m. CDT at McCormick Place in Chicago in Room S-105A, as part of the BIO 2006 Annual Conference.
WHAT: The media brunch will provide reporters with an opportunity to taste, use, and see products produced through industrial and environmental biotechnology, as well as learn how these technologies can enable energy security.
· The media brunch will feature a fashion show with models wearing everyday clothing and designer clothes made from polylactic acid (PLA), a compostable biopolymer made from dextrose corn sugar.
· Overview of how industrial biotechnology can help end our “addiction to oil” and make ethanol from cellulose competitive with petroleum-based motor fuels. Ethanol from cellulose and other biofuels are expected to replace as much as half of today’s oil-based transportation fuels.
· All foods and beverages will be served on plates, cups and utensils that are manufactured from bioplastics made from agricultural feedstocks, instead of oil.
· An exhibit of products made from the biopolymers polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), including bedding products, packaging materials, and baby products.
· The menu will feature foods that are made with the help of enzymes or flavorings manufactured through industrial biotechnology, including yogurts, breads and rolls, meats, and juices.
· Attendees are encouraged to visit the BIO Industrial and Environmental Pavilion on the exhibit floor, which will feature an Indianapolis 500 race car that runs on bioethanol fuel, as well as the Illinois Pavilion, which will feature a Ford F-150 Flexible Fuel Vehicle that runs on E85 fuel, which is being raffled off.
WHO: A panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session, will provide overviews of how industrial biotechnology is being used to make everyday consumer products. Panelists include:
· Sue Cischke, vice president, Environment and Safety Engineering at Ford, will discuss Ford’s Flexible Fuel Vehicle and E85 efforts.
· Steen Riisgaard, president and CEO of Novozymes, will discuss the sustainable nature of industrial biotechnology and the move from a petroleum-based economy to a bio-based economy.
· Dennis McGrew, president and CEO of NatureWorks, will discuss the development of polymers, plastics, and fabrics from corn and other natural resources through industrial biotechnology.
· Brian Foody, president and CEO of Iogen, will discuss the development of ethanol from cellulose through industrial biotechnology.
· Leendert Staal, CEO of DSM Pharmaceuticals, will highlight how industrial biotechnology enables the development of cleaner manufacturing processes for vitamins and food additives.
· Jim Barber, CEO of Metabolix, will showcase the company’s sustainable, bio-based, biodegradable natural plastics and chemicals that are a result of industrial biotechnology.
The panel will be moderated by Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology Section.
WHEN: Monday, April 10, 2006 at 9:45-11:30 a.m. CDT
WHERE: Room S-105A at McCormick Place in Chicago
Due to limited seating, please RSVP to Deb Carstoiu, BIO, at 202-962-6660, or dcarstoiu@bio.org. Journalists must be registered for BIO 2006 to attend the Media Brunch.
Advance media registration for BIO 2006 is now available online. Registration is complimentary for credential members of the news media. To register, please visit http://www.bio.org/events/2006/reg/. Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers and online publications must register in advance by Friday, March 31, 2006.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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