Producing More Biofuels a Focus of World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2006) – Ethanol and biodiesel are currently in high demand throughout the world, due to record oil prices and new mandates for use of renewable fuel in the United States, Europe and Canada. New research and commercial production methods to meet increased demand for biofuels will be one focus of the third annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, to be held July 11-14, 2006 at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The Congress is hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), American Chemical Society, the National Agriculture Biotechnology Council, the Agri-Food Innovation Forum, the Chemical Institute of Canada, BIOTECanada and EuropaBIO.
The plenary lunch on Friday, July 14 will feature a panel discussion, “An International Perspective on Biofuels and Cellulosic Ethanol.” Three of the top thought leaders and experts in the world will discuss current biofuels issues and the future of cellulosic ethanol as a replacement for petroleum transportation fuel. The scheduled speakers are Lee Lynd, professor, Dartmouth University Thayer School of Engineering; Suzanne Hunt, biofuels project manager, Worldwatch Institute; and Fernando Reinach, CEO, Alellyx, and director, Votorantim New Business (Brazil).
Some sessions focusing on the latest research in biofuels and on overcoming hurdles to commercialization include:
· 21st Century Biology for Biofuels Production -- Thursday, July 13 at 8:30 a.m.
John Houghton, U.S. Department of Energy; Mike Ladisch, Purdue University; Sharon Shoemaker, University of California, Davis; and Jim Fredrickson, Pacific Northwest National Lab will review the latest research in biotechnology for making fuel from agricultural feedstocks.
· Enzymes for Cellulosic Ethanol -- Thursday, July 13 at 10:15 a.m.
Enzymes used in ethanol production will be discussed by representatives of biotech companies, including Lambert van Orsouw, DIREVO Biotech; Greg Stephanopoulos, MIT; Marco Baez, Dyadic International; and Mark Burk, Diversa.
· Building Infrastructure for the Biodiesel Industry -- Thursday, July 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Representatives of large bioenergy and agriculture companies will examine necessary steps to bringing biofuels to the market. Participants include Timothy Conner, Monsanto; and Morten Würtz Christensen, Novozymes.
· The Potential of Energy Crops-- Friday, July 14 at 8:30 a.m.
David Bransby of Auburn University, Emily Heaton of the University of Illinois, and Edward Richard of USDA examine the potential of switchgrass, miscanthus and other dedicated energy crops to meet the transportation fuel demands of the United States.
· Biofuels: Perspectives from the Oil Industry -- Friday, July 14 at 10:15 a.m.
Jack Huttner, Genencor and Justin Adams, British Petroleum, will participate in this panel, examining growing interest in biofuels among petroleum producers.
Advance media registration for the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing is now available online until June 30. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register and or to view the program, please visit http://www.bio.org/worldcongress/. 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, June 30, 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 healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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