EuropaBio hosts 12th annual Industrial Biotech and Bioeconomy Conference – #EFIB2019
As the new European Institutions draw up political guidelines and goals to address climate and sustainability challenges, this year’s conference will highlight the sector’s latest achievements and the potential of a circular bioeconomy for Europe
The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy (EFIB) returns to Brussels this week, with discussions on industrial biotech innovations and future potential in fields such as food, feed & nutrition; plastics; and bio-based industrial processes at the fore of the agenda.
Now in its 12th edition, the conference continues to attract leading industry and policy experts to discuss opportunities and challenges for this Key Enabling Technology, this year with a special focus on how the sector can contribute to establishing a healthy and sustainable planet. “Having just rounded off the celebrations of a record breaking 2019 Biotech Week, we are delighted to kick off #EFIB2019 to further discuss the contribution of industrial biotech in meeting societal challenges and its future potential in providing innovative solutions for people and the planet. In addition, also the economic opportunity of the bioeconomy will be addressed” said Agnes Borg, Industrial Biotechnology Director at EuropaBio.
This year’s agenda will amongst others feature María Mendiluce of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development; European Commission’s (DG GROW) Carlo Pettinelli, Director of Consumer, Environmental and Health Technologies and Prof. Bo Yu, CAS/TWAS Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology in China. Other speakers will include leading executives from companies such as Inditex, Genomatica, Lanzatech, DSM, Aquafil, Michelin and Stora Enso Biomaterials.
#EFIB2019 participants will also have the chance to meet with over 30 local and international start-ups from Europe and beyond in the second edition of the Start-Up Village showing renewable, bio-based solutions by young innovators, and get a ‘taste of the future’ at the themed evening reception. It will amongst other things include showcase lounges on fashion & textiles; materials and packaging as well as alternative protein products made with algae, insects and more.
The John Sime Award for the most innovative breakthrough showcased at EFIB will be presented on 2 October by EuropaBio’s Secretary General, Joanna Dupont-Inglis.