Consumer Demand for Bioproducts to Be Explored at 2014 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

Consumer interests will be showcased in Plenary Program and Select Track Sessions

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2014) – Nationwide, consumers are demanding greener household care products, cheaper and cleaner fuels and a greater selection of biobased personal care items.  The Plenary Program and select Track Sessions at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, will showcase how the industrial biotech industry is meeting this growing demand for a more sustainable, environmentally friendlier lifestyle preferred by consumers.  The World Congress will be held May 12-15, 2014, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. 

“Consumers want to shift from utilizing petroleum based products to utilizing cleaner biobased products.  Industrial biotechnology supports this shift by giving consumers greater choice in everyday use products, by providing them with greener options that use renewable ingredients,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section. “Philadelphia’s investment in natural gas, renewable chemicals and biofuels make it the perfect platform for robust discussions on meeting this trend in consumer demands.” The Thursday, May 15 Plenary Session, Consumer Demand Trends for Biobased Products, will offer attendees a unique look into top-tier brand owners discussing the role of industrial biotechnology within the global consumer product marketplace.  Moderated by Melody Bomgardner, Senior Business Editor, Chemical & Engineering News, the Plenary panel will feature Kirk Apt, Chief Research Scientist Nutritional Products, DSM; Daniel Yarosh, Senior Vice President, Basic Science, Estee Lauder; Neil Parry, Head of Biotechnology Science, Unilever, and Scott Vitters, General Manager, PlantBottle Packaging Platform, The Coca-Cola Company.  Additionally, on Thursday, May 15, BIO’s Breakout Program will host a session titled Natural Gas to Fuels and Chemicals, which will showcase the latest technology in creating multiple applications for natural gas.  Moderated by Mark Herrema, Newlight Technologies, LLC, the panel will include Michael Schuppenhauer, Farmatic Inc.; Joshua Silverman, Calysta Energy; Richard Troyer, Coskata, Inc.; and Robert Walsh, Intrexon Corporation. Lastly, consumers want cheaper and cleaner fuel alternatives that move away from relying on petroleum.  As part of the Advanced Biofuels and Biorefinery Platforms Track Sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to listen in on discussions on how companies are creating better fuel options.  Additionally, the Tuesday May 13 Plenary, Novel Sugar and Oil Platforms for the Modern Biobased Economy, will highlight the status of novel feedstock development for modern biorefineries. All World Congress sessions are open to credentialed media.  Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters with valid press credentials working full time for print, broadcast or web publications.  Registration for reporters is now open.