The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005

1. The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005 Reporting Session Industry & Environment

2. The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005 BIOINDUSTRY & ENVIRONMENT Science DR. RITA COLWELL DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND & THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY FORMER DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Society DR. MICHAEL OBORNE DIRECTOR, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL FUTURES PROGRAMME, OECD Industry MR. FEIKE SIJBESMA MANAGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DSM CHAIRMAN, EuropaBio

3. The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005

4. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment What is white biotech?

5. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment What is the rationale for applying white biotechnology? • Macrotrends (e.g., urbanization, industrialization, increasing consumption, unstable oil & gas markets) put… • … environment, health and society under increasing pressure (e.g., degradation of natural habitats, global warming, environment associated diseases, depletion of fossil resources) • Need for more sustainable industrial production! • White biotechnology has demonstrated to provide benefits along the triple P of sustainability • Planet: less fossil resources, less emissions, less energy • People: better quality of life, rural development • Profit: lower cost, innovative new products, jobs

6. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment Where do we stand today? (1/2) • Already today industrialized countries benefit from white biotechnology in many different ways, e.g., • Biofuels: 1-2% of transportation fuel needs through bio-ethanol & bio-diesel, growing 20% annually. First biomass-to-fuel plant • Biomaterials: first biodegradable plastics from renewable raw materials on the market at competitive cost (e.g., packaging) • Biochemicals: selected chemical syntheses (e.g., vitamines and antibiotics) transferred to cleaner and cheaper bioroutes • Bioactives: enzymes contributed to many greener processes and better products (e.g., detergents, paper, textiles, food, feed and bioremediation) saving approx. 20 MTon CO2 annually • Overall: approx. 3- 5% of chemical production is now based on white biotech

7. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment Where do we stand today? (2/2) • Science & technology: Tremendous progress in basic science and technologies, but continued investment required in particular towards economical applications • Public acceptance: Increasing buy-in from consumer and environmental organization (e.g., German Green Party, NRDC), but lack of general understanding not to be underestimated • Regulatory situation: Substantial hurdles remain especially in EU (e.g., long approval times, high sugar costs) • Industry: Significant activity around profitable incremental applications, but investments in long-term breakthrough technologies need more stimulation • Developing countries: Struggling with access to IP and funds to adapt and apply technologies locally

8. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment What are the concerns expressed about white biotech? • Although general support for white biotech was expressed, the concerns raised need to be addressed • Use of land and water for large scale bio based production • Level of containment and environmental release of genetically modified bugs • Insufficient return on investments • Increasing inequalities between developed and developing countries

9. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment Where do we want to be in 10-20 years? • White biotechnology incorporated into societal activities and contributing to science and industry • Maximize benefits in a bio-based economy, e.g., • Biofuels play significant role in future energy mix especially through cellulosic biomass conversion (not competing with food) • Industrial processes switched to bioroutes and biorefineries where it makes economical and environmental sense • Innovative bioproducts provide new benefits to consumers (e.g., health ingredients, improved detergents, biodefense) • White biotech applications invented and adopted into developing countries’ industry, health and environment • Exploration of biodiversity and symbiosis with other technologies (e.g., nanotech, ag science, IT) to take advantage of new discoveries • Understanding of biocomplexity and complexity of ecological systems • Significant contribution to improving environment and health

10. BioVision 2005, Bioindustry & Environment How do we get there? • Continued investment in basic research facilitating new discoveries • Increased private and public investments in application & product development • Industry leadership by actively searching and pursuing existing opportunities (rather than “wait and see” approach) • Political leadership and support for appropriate regulatory and economic conditions acknowledging that benefits materialize over the longer term • Balance precautionary principle with benefits of new technologies • Encourage public debate involving citizens on all levels in discussions, using multiple approaches for educating the public, and focusing on tangible and meaningful arguments