Biotechnology Will Transform Sustainable Biofuel Production, BIO Says
Posted on March 4, 2008 – 4:59 pm | by oilandgaspress.com
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Executive Vice President, Industrial & Environmental Section, Brent Erickson released the following statement from the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008 (WIREC 2008):
“Industrial biotechnology companies are making rapid progress toward bringing cost-competitive cellulosic ethanol to U.S. consumers. A few U.S. companies are already deploying technology to produce cellulosic ethanol, while others have announced research and demonstration projects that will improve efficiency, further reduce costs, and enhance the environmental benefits of biofuels. One company has been producing cellulosic ethanol since 2004, and more than 20 companies are constructing or operating biorefineries to gather further data needed to increase commercial production.
“Industrial biotech companies are also researching and developing technology for advanced biofuels – biobased alcohol and hydrocarbon fuels that can directly substitute for petroleum. Companies have used life-science techniques to discover, enhance, and develop novel enzymes and microbes that convert biomass – crop residues, grasses, and trees – into the building blocks of fuels and chemicals. This research is moving forward at a tremendous pace, promising next-generation biofuels that significantly reduce reliance on petroleum.
“And the research advancements are not just in biofuels. New projects have been announced recently that will produce not just biofuels, but also plastics, chemicals and energy from renewable plant sources instead of oil. These products are already cost-competitive with petroleum-based products and provide significant ecological advantages.
“The WIREC 2008 conference highlights the need to develop alternatives to petroleum. BIO supports the production of ethanol from all feedstocks. Agricultural biotechnology is helping to increase corn yields, while industrial biotechnology is helping to convert corn starch and crop residues into ethanol more efficiently. With ongoing advances in biotechnology, biofuels can help America meet nearly half its transportation-fuel needs by the middle of this century.”
Erickson and others will be speaking at two panel sessions at WIREC 2008:
Biobased Products Feedstocks, Markets & Drivers
Weds. March 5 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 PM EST.
Room 152A
Washington Convention Center
Sustainable Development of Advanced Biofuels for the 21st Century
Thurs. March 6 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST.
Room 149B
Washington Convention Center
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
Upcoming BIO Events
– Partnering for Global Health
March 10-12, 2008
Washington, D.C.
– BIO-Europe Spring
April 7-9, 2008
Madrid, Spain
– BIO National Venture Conference
April 22-23, 2008
Boston, Mass.
– World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
April 27-30, 2008
Chicago, Ill.
– 2008 BIO International Convention
June 17-20, 2008
San Diego, Calif.
Contacts
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Paul Winters, 202-962-9237
www.bio.org
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Tags: Biofuel, Biotechnology, Production, Sustainable, Transform
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