Knowledge Based Bio-Economy towards 2020

A shift to a solid, sustainable and competitive bio-economy:

• can ensure food security to Europe and globally, while adapting to a changing climate.
• and provide a greener industry by replacing petrochemicals with renewable biological raw materials and bio-processes in sectors like chemicals, food and feed, detergents, paper and pulp, textiles, biofuels and biogas. Industrial biotechnology has been recognised by the European Commission as a Key Enabling Technology (KET) to tackle climate change.

A recent WWF-report concludes that the full climate change mitigation potential of biotechnology processes and biobased products ranges from between 1 billion and 2.5 billion tons of CO2 equivalent per year by 2030. This represents more than Germany’s total reported emissions in 1990.

In utilising the full potential of Europe’s resources, academic knowledge and industrial capabilities in the further development of the European bio-economy, there is a need for an integrated holistic strategy by the Commission and the Member Sates, taking into account the needs of the industry, consumers and the society as a whole. This KBBE Towards 2020 conference will be the meeting and discussion place for all these stakeholders. Furthermore, the presence of the press and consumer organisations will give more public visibility to and create greater awareness about the biobased economy and its potential beneficiary impact on society. The exhibition of innovative biobased products will contribute to this political and public consciousness.