BIO to Host First Pacific Rim Industrial Biotech & Bioenergy Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2005) – The drive to develop more sustainable sources of ethanol transportation fuel and other forms of bioenergy as well as cleaner, more efficient methods of industrial production has prompted the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to host its first Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Jan. 11-13, 2006 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa in Honolulu.
BIO is sponsoring the conference in conjunction with the state of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Life Sciences Council (HLSC), Enterprise Honolulu and the Oceanic Institute. The purpose of the conference is to highlight the emerging field of industrial biotechnology, which is being used to convert agricultural wastes to renewable energy and to make many types of manufacturing processes more environmentally sustainable.
“The convergence of biotechnology, chemistry, agriculture and the study of marine microorganisms is poised to revolutionize nearly every aspect of today’s global economy,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “Regional ‘biobased’ economies are emerging in various states of complexity and development. Indeed, nations in the Pacific Rim region have enough biomass resources to supply a robust economy producing renewable products and fuels.
“Honolulu was selected as the host city due to its proximity to Pacific Rim nations, and because it has a significant biomass resource base that can provide sugar and plant oil feedstocks for a regional biobased economy,” Erickson said.
Notable plenary speakers scheduled to make presentations include the honorable James Greenwood, BIO’s president and CEO; Rajesh Parekh, a principal in the Shanghai office of McKinsey & Company; Dr. Patrick Moore, founder of Greenspirit International and one of the original co-founders of Greenpeace; and Graeme Bullock, former general manager of Australia’s Sugar Research Institute and a noted expert on conversion of agricultural crops to value-added products; Maurice Kaya, chief technical officer, State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Trade; Nobu Kawashima, Mitsui Chemicals (Japan); Weng Yunxuan, Beijing Technology and Business University (China); Silvia Ortego, PHB Industrial (Brazil); Roger Wyse, managing director, Burrill & Company; and Marv Duncan, senior agricultural economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
BIO recently made public the full program for the three-day summit, which will feature presentations on industrial biotechnology for drug discovery and production, bio-energy, bio-based products, novel applications of marine biotechnology, and nanotechnology as the role of industrial biotechnology and bioenergy in a secure and prosperous and more sustainable global future.
Registration and additional conference information may be obtained by clicking on http://www.bio.org/pacrim/. Media registration is complimentary.
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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