World Congress Will Showcase Industrial Biotechnology for Ethanol, Chemicals, and Consumer Goods
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2006) -- The latest advances in industrial biotechnology for renewable fuel and sustainable consumer products made from agricultural feedstocks will be on display at the third annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. The Congress, to be held July 11-14, 2006 at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, 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.
“Industrial biotechnology is enabling not only increased production of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, which have gained national attention as gasoline prices have climbed, but also sustainable production of chemicals and consumer plastics from agricultural feedstocks. The integration of industrial and agricultural biotechnology in manufacturing is creating a new industrial revolution,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section. “Integrated biorefineries, building upon recent significant advances in industrial biotechnology and bioprocessing, will lead to the creation of a biobased economy where imported oil is replaced with domestically grown agricultural feedstocks in fuel, chemical and consumer goods production.”
The World Congress will bring together scientists, industry representatives and policy makers to share knowledge and experience that will speed the development and growth of a sector that is vital for value creation and sustainable industrial development. The four-day event will foster the exchange of ideas, provide “real world” examples that can be applied in daily practice, and present an overview of the technological developments, general trends and barriers that must be overcome to advance a biobased economy.
The conference will open with a half-day Agri-Food Innovation Forum, celebrating excellence in Canadian industrial bioproducts. The forum is a coordinated effort of the Governments of Canada and Ontario and Ontario Agri-Food Technologies.
The Congress will feature technical sessions for business, academic and research-related presentations on topics such as novel applications of biotechnology in manufacturing and synthesis; bioethanol and bioenergy production; bioprocessing of agricultural feedstocks; production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food ingredients; issues surrounding the application of biotechnology to industrial sustainability; marine biotechnology; bioplastics and chemicals from renewable sources and much more.
Advance media registration for the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and BioProcessing will be available online beginning Monday May 22. 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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