Innovation in Renewable Chemical Platforms to be Highlighted at 2015 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2015) – America's renewable chemical and biobased manufacturing industry generated 4 million jobs and contributed $369 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013 alone, according to a recently issued USDA report. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is pleased to announce that breakout sessions at the 2015 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology will feature experts and executives who will showcase the latest innovations, remark on the future of renewable chemicals, and the biobased industry, and highlight how companies and innovators are working to shift towards a bioeconomy. This year’s BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology will be held July 19-22, 2015 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in Montréal, Canada.

“Companies and innovators in the biobased industry are developing cutting-edge technologies, environmentally preferred personal care products, and more efficient manufacturing practices,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president for BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section. “BIO is excited to offer attendees access to the industry’s top leaders and experts who will provide a one of a kind look into the world of renewable chemicals, bioplastics and biobased products.”

Track 6 includes six breakout sessions that will focus on renewable chemicals and biobased materials. Highlighted below are three breakout sessions from this track:  

Monday, July 20, 2015, 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Session 1, Bioplastics Market Overview and Road to Hundred Percent Bio-PET, will look at innovative solutions for producing drop-in biobased components for polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The panel will also address the increase in market demands for biodegradable and bio-based plastics.

Panelists:

·         Yu Shi, The Coca-Cola Company

·         Ralph Lerner, Virent, Inc.

·         Fanny Liao, Far Eastern New Century

·         Haiyu Ren,  The Coca-Cola Company

·           Thomas Mallet, Axens

Monday, July 20, 2015, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Session 2, Commercializing Novel Biobased Products from Brand Owner and Producer Perspectives, will discuss the value and drivers for synthesizing and using renewable chemicals in consumer products and addressing the demand for products that are not petroleum based from both producer and brand owner perspectives’. Panelists will also remark on whether renewable chemicals can truly command a “green premium.”

Panelists:

·         John Shaw, Itaconix Corporation

·         Rick Hanson, Croda

·         Chantal Bergeron, Seventh Generation

·         Christian Johnson, BioFiber Solutions International

·         Richard Engler, Bergeson & Campbell

Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Session 5, Market Opportunities for Biobased Monomers and Materials, will look at how R&D efforts are proving to be effective in the production of biobased-monomers such as succinic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, and other renewable chemicals.  Panelists will address how their innovative manufacturing processes are optimizing their renewable chemicals from biomass, and are exploring the range of applications for it. 

Panelists:

·         James Wynn, MBI International

·         Markus Piepenbrink, BASF SE

·         Cesar Granda, Earth Energy Renewable, LLC.

·         Marcel van Berkel, GF Biochemicals

·         Philip Goodier, Plaxica Limited

All programs at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters working full time for print, broadcast or web publications with valid press credentials.

Industrial Biotechnology (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers) Journal is the official publication for the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology.

For more information on the conference, please visit www.bio.org/worldcongress.  For assistance, please contact worldcongress@bio.org.