BioIndustry 2021: Industrial Biotechnology Clusters

In the future, increasing numbers of production processes will make use of microorganisms or the enzymes that they produce.

Source: BRAIN AG

In the course of their development, microorganisms have acquired an incredible versatility. If these talents are applied in industrial processes, for example in food production or in the chemical industry, then experts refer to this as ‘industrial’ or ‘white’ biotechnology. In the autumn of 2006, the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) created the BioIndustrie 2021 cluster competition in order to better advance this field of research and business in Germany. With this initiative, strategic partnerships between the economy and science will receive targeted funding with the aim of establishing industrial biotechnology clusters in Germany. The winners of this competition have been announced during the "European Bioperspectives" trade fair in Cologne at the end of May 2007 and have already started their work.

In the course of their development, microorganisms have acquired an incredible versatility. If these talents are applied in industrial processes, for example in food production or in the chemical industry, then experts refer to this as ‘industrial’ or ‘white’ biotechnology. In the autumn of 2006, the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) created the BioIndustrie 2021 cluster competition in order to better advance this field of research and business in Germany. With this initiative, strategic partnerships between the economy and science will receive targeted funding with the aim of establishing industrial biotechnology clusters in Germany. The winners of this competition have been announced during the "European Bioperspectives" trade fair in Cologne at the end of May 2007.For industry, the biotechnological processes that utilise microorganisms’ talents are a key to solving a whole range of problems. Chemicals manufacturers and foodstuff concerns are having to prepare for ever-decreasing quantities of raw materials, as well as rising oil prices. The application of biotechnological procedures can make an important contribution to overcoming these challenges. Highly developed bioprocess techniques can offer far greater efficiency and less environmental impact than traditional oil-based techniques. On top of this, a broad range of new products will only be possible through the application of biotechnological methods, for example the targeted development of genetically modified microorganisms.

A number of studies have predicted that industrial biotechnology is poised to undergo major economic growth. In the "Cologne Paper", which was presented at the "European Bioperspectives" conference at the end of May 2007 in Cologne, experts predicted worldwide sales volumes for industrial biotechnology of around 300 billion euros by 2030. (More information about the Cologne Paper can be found here)

Strategic partnerships between industry and science

In order to better advance this field of research and business in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) began the BioIndustrie 2021 cluster competition in the autumn of 2006. With this initiative, strategic partnerships between the economy and science will be targetedly supported with the aim of establishing industrial biotechnology clusters in Germany. 60 million euros of funding - to be spread over five years - has been made available for this initiative. With additional commitment from the private sector, research and development projects are expected to benefit from funding totalling 150 million euros.

The definitive goal of the BioIndustrie 2021 competition is to consolidate essential institutions and disciplines (e.g. Process engineering, machine and equipment construction, process and control engineering, analytics) into interdisciplinary project teams, both efficiently and at an early stage. Strategic clusters that integrate all parties in a network structure are anticipated to emerge within the framework of the competition. Included in this vision are research institutions, private companies, venture capitalists and banks, who will be cooperating to define their core competencies, develop forms of financing and strategies for future markets, and implement appropriate projects in their common interests. In the context of this funding initiative, these self-organising clusters will be entering into a competition with each other with the ultimate aim of strengthening Germany as a location for industrial biotechnology. In total, seven clusters have applied for funding, and the winners have already been decided. Included among the winners are the following networks, as announced by BMBF State Secretary Thomas Rachel in Cologne at the European Bioperspectives conference: