This week, on 19 and 20 October EFIB is set to provide a snapshot of what has been achieved in the field of industrial biotech and the bio-based economy over the past year and to highlight the most important opportunities and challenges in the pipeline.

The Conference, which this year will attract over 350 participants, has since 2008, established itself as the meeting place for policy and business and, year upon year has provided a fertile ground for lively debate and constructive discussion on the development of the bio-based economy.

Stephan Tanda, EuropaBio’s Chairman and Managing Board member of Royal DSM stated “We are delighted that EFIB continues to grow, attracting a broad and high level international audience.  Hosting the event in the Netherlands nicely highlights the active contribution of a broad range of Dutch regulators and stakeholders in the rapid development of the bio-based economy. In addition to attracting many national actors in the field,  EFIB 2011 features 60 high level speakers from leading industry CEOs to academics to International Organisations on the programme . We are especially pleased to host an NGO panel discussion, reflecting a thirst for open debate and dialogue, as well as sessions on Innovation, Research, Policy, Financing and Communication for the Bio-based Economy”.

Within the next six months the regulatory landscape for Industrial Biotech in Europe will be shaped by the development of the reformed CAP and by the tabling of two major proposals.  One of these, Horizon 2020 will be revealed on 30 November, setting out the EU’s Research and Innovation framework from 2013-2020.  The second, the EU’s Strategy for creating a sustainable and innovative European Bio-based Economy by 2020, will present the vision of how technologies such as industrial biotechnology can best be supported to help solve some of society’s biggest challenges, such as climate change and resource efficiency. 

Lars Hansen, President of Novozymes Europe and Chair of EuropaBio’s Industrial Biotech Council concluded:  “This year, participants to EFIB will witness how the bio-based vision is expanding and increasingly relevant to a variety of stakeholders.   Our experience of EFIB has shown the added value that there is in creating a coherent and integrated vision of the bio-based economy by carving out a space for stakeholders and decision makers to share views, opinions and priorities.  The resulting dialogue plays an important part in plotting the course towards a smart, sustainable and inclusive world leading bio-based economy in Europe. It inspires us in our daily efforts to make it happen!”

Attendees at this year’s forum will hear from a variety of high level speakers from L’Oreal, KLM, Rabobank, Burrill and Company, Bellona, IUCN, European Bioplastics, McKinsey and Company, Copa Cogeca, the European Commission and the OECD, amongst others.

~ENDS~

For further information or to enquire about availability of a free press pass for accredited journalists, please contact:

Rosalind Travers

Communications and Associations Liaison Officer

EuropaBio

Tel: +32 2 739 1173

Mobile: +32 478 680 301

Email: r.travers@europabio.org

OR:

Natalie Findlay

IntertechPira

Tel: +441372 802104

Email: natalie.findlay@pira-international.com

About EuropaBio: EuropaBio's mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotechnology based industry in Europe. EuropaBio, (the European Association for Bioindustries), has 62 corporate and 7 associate members operating worldwide, 2 Bioregions and 19 national biotechnology associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises.

About IntertechPira: IntertechPira provides events, market research, publications, strategic and technical consulting to niche, emerging and high growth industries. Market coverage includes industrial biotechnology, lighting and displays, clean energy, home and personal care, performance materials and chemicals. IntertechPira is a division of Pira