251 286 - Biotech Bayern

CO2 output. This is where white biotechnology can make an
enormous contribution to the saving of resources and to the
protection of the climate. Improved (bio) technology on the
one hand and the increased price of oil on the other make
the biogenic production of bulk chemicals economically
competitive as well. One successful example is bioethanol,
which is used not only as a fuel but also as a basic chemical
for synthesising materials in the chemical industry. In certain
regions (Brazil, USA) bioethanol costs less than comparable
petrochemical bulk chemicals. In 2006 world production
amounted to more than 40 million tons, there are more
than 100 biorefineries for the production of bioethanol in
the USA alone and another 70 are currently being planned
or built.
This “new” biotechnology, aiming at CO2 neutral bulk
chemicals that are not dependent on mineral oil for chemical
production and energy, offers important fields of innovation
and growth for the big chemical industry:
Biotechnological production, in optimised “biorefineries”,
of important basic chemicals that are still manufactured
today by petrochemical means.
Use of secondary flows from bioethanol / biodiesel plants.
New chemical products / processes with customer benefit
for the “biorefinery” growth area.
In its central research division, Wacker Chemie is working
on these subjects with a new strategic research focus on
“White Biotechnology”.
Bavaria and the Bavarian chemical industry have recognised
the importance of white biotechnology. Stimulated by the
“BioIndustrie 2021” programme of the Federal Ministry of
Education and Research, an interdisciplinary network consisting
of almost 50 partners from the worlds of industry
and academe has established itself in the past months.
Managed by Wacker Chemie and Süd-Chemie and in
cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and BioM Cluster Management GmbH a concept has been developed
for the promotion of white biotechnology entitled
“Industrial processes using biogenic building blocks und
performance proteins”. As one of the award-winning concepts
in the “BioIndustrie 2021” competition, it received
grants from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs.
White biotechnology is one of the key technologies for innovative
and sustainable new processes in the chemical industry.
Important contents of the concept are:
Promotion of innovative projects for the production of
bio-based bulk chemicals in “third-generation” biorefineries.
Promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises,
focusing on the field of white biotechnology.
Promotion of academic research and training in this
field and development of a centre of excellence for white
biotechnology at the TUM.
Screening of ideas and deliberate encouragement of
cooperation between industry and the academic world
with the aim of translating technologies into marketable
products.
White biotechnology is one of the key technologies for
innovative and sustainable new processes in the chemical
industry. White biotechnology will make significant contributions
to the preservation of resources, the protection of
the climate and the improvement of the quality of life by
means of intermediate products, methods and high-quality
end products. Those wanting to participate need to do
research and development work and need to invest in production.
With its big chemical companies, its innovative
small and medium-sized enterprises, and its know-how
infrastructure, Bavaria as a location is set to position itself
for the future in the field of white biotechnology as well.
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