Biochemicals from Renewable Feedstocks: 2009 Status and Outlooks
ID: 3509

Abstract: We currently see strong drivers to develop biotech routes to existing and novel chemicals and their intermediates: despite the recent decline in crude oil prices several reports indicate that the era of cheap oil as the main feedstock for the chemicals industry is facing an end and that we will see crude oil prices above 100 USD/bll in the future (e.g. Intl. Energy Agency (http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/ and PB http://www.bp.com/productlanding.do?categoryId=6929&contentId=7044622).

Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, the growing world population and thereby growing demands are additional issues which drive discussions for a more sustainable future of our large indus-tries.

Industrial biotechnology can play an important role by developing robust and cost effective technolo-gies for the conversion of renewable resources as evidenced by 1st and 2nd generation bioethanol pro-jects. These projects build a technology foundation which will be further deployed beyond fuel ethanol for a variety of chemicals. Several projects are currently public knowledge like to Bio-Acrylic acid project from Novozymes and Cargill, the isoprene Project from Danisco and Goodyear or the Succinic acid project from DSM and Roquette, many smaller companies are developing new technologies like e.g. Genomatics, Gevo, Amyris biotechnologies just to mention a few. Most of the projects are still in R&D phase, some face pilot stage soon.



This panel will discuss a broad spectrum of important issues from a variety of views:



• Thomas Schäfer, Senior Director at Novozymes, will introduce the topics to the audience and moderate the panel

• Marcel Wubbolts, Program Director Industrial Biotechnology at Royal DSM, will present re-cent developments from a biotechnology point of view.

• Todd Werpy, Vice President Advanced Biofuels and Chemicals at ADM, will present from a feedstock view at one of the worlds largest grain processing and ethanol companies.

• Mark Morgan, Principal and Global Director Biotechnology at Nexant Chemsystems, will talk about “Commercialising Worldscale White Biotechnology “ and present the consultants view on different crude oils scenarios i.e. availability and pricing scenarios and their impact on both petrochemicals and renewable chemicals

• Jamey Escaler, Executive Director at UBS will complement the views with an outside-in pres-entation about the combination of the impact of financial crisis in 2008, future crude oil price scenarios and the relevance for biotech in a petrochemical world from the view of biotech in-vestment."





garret screws cell 919 637-4214



Moderator: Thomas Schafer, Novozymes (Denmark)

Presenter 1: Recent developments from a biotechnology point of view
Marcel Wubbolts, DSM, NV, (The Netherlands)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 2: Feedstock Overview 
Todd Werpy, Archer Daniels Midland Company, (United States)  [Invited]

Presenter 3: Commercialising Worldscale White Biotechnology  
Mark Morgan, Nexant, Inc., (United Kingdom)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 4 (if necessary):  
Jamey Escaler, UBS Investment Bank, (United States)  [Confirmed]

Panel Organizer:
Garrett Screws, Novozymes North America, Inc, (United States)

Why should your submission should be selected for this year’s program?
Panel will address all aspects of the value chain from raw materials to conversion technology to competitive scenarios vs crude oil. Impact of current economic crisis and the necessity of further biotech investment and support will also be discussed.