#EFIB2021: Industry sets up the Business vision to deliver Green Deal ambitions

Vienna, 7 October 2021 - Over 350 engaged industrial biotechnology leaders gathered together this week in Vienna to join discussions on industrial biotech innovations and the sector’s contribution to the EU Green Deal.

‘The bioeconomy has a pivotal role to play in the transition to a more circular, sustainable and resource-efficient society. After two days of discussions, start-up pitches and presentations, I say with ever more confidence that Europe’s innovation and its potential for sustainable solutions is already here. However, if we want to achieve food security, meet climate and renewable energy targets a holistic and cross-sectoral approach to foster bio-based solutions is needed. Only then can we signal to international markets that Europe is open and ready to do business.’, said Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of Europabio.

The celebration of industrial biotechnology amongst 65 speakers featured sector’s leaders Anne Bogdanski, from Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, Kristin Schreiber Director, Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry and Entrepreneurship and SMEs, DG Grow, European Commission, Michael Brandkamp, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), Julian Toth, International Sustainable Finance Center (ISFC), Olivier Rigaud, Corbion, Edith Schippers, DSM.

Participants had a chance to take part in 20 sessions on industrial biotech innovations and future potential in fields such as food, feed & nutrition; sustainable materials; and bio-based industrial processes.

Vienna statement: industry sets up the Business vision for Europe

This year EuropaBio launched EFIB Vienna Statement — a vision document for Industrial Biotechnology. An Executive Round table finalised and presented the Business vision for Europe from Industrial Biotechnology, setting yearly goals for policy and regulation to ensure that we can deliver Green Deal ambitions.

‘Europe currently faces the triple challenge of delivering the EU Green Deal, enabling economic recovery and increasing Europe’s global competitiveness. We urge European Union Institutions and the Member States to build a regulatory and market framework that enables long term investment in, and growth of, its scientific and company base.’, said Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio. artnering tool.

The Statement includes three main policy asks: (1) Modernising regulation and policy: enabling impact; (2) Education and awareness: enabling citizens; (3) Financing innovation: enabling technologies.

The Statement was presented to the participants at the final Plenary session featuring Jovita Neliupsiene, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, Marty Muenzmaier, Cargill Philippe Mengal, BBI JU, Nikolaus Schwaiger, SAPPI and handed over to Kristin Schreiber, Director, Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission.

Bioeconomy businesses—at the core of European Innovation

Innovation boosts the competitiveness of our economies, ecological transformation of our societies and is critical to delivering the EU Green Deal. EFIB participants had a chance to witness that Europe doesn’t lack innovation and creative minds: +20 local and international start-ups pitched and presented their business at the start-up village.

The delegates were active in setting up business meeting via the Partnering platform: more than 500 meetings were confirmed involving representatives from almost 200 organisations.

The Innovation Campus showcased 15 the most innovative scientific approaches in the area of industrial biotechnology and bioeconomy in a dedicated poster presentation in the exhibition. The Poster Jury voted that the best presentation of this year is “BIOEMERGERproject: Biotechnological solutions for management of waste generated in polyurethane foam industry” by Marta Muñoz, Technological Center of Furniture and Wood CETEM.

CRISPR genome editing technology – the most influential industrial advance from the last 25 years

EFIB participants had also the chance to vote for the most influential advance from the industrial biotechnology and bioeconomy stories from the 25th EuropaBio anniversary programme. From the 13 nominations presented, the crowd voted for the CRISPR genome editing technology.

Save the date: #EFIB2022 is coming to Vilnius

After the successful 2021 edition, Vilnius was selected as the next location of EFIB.

‘A support of biotechnology innovation and development at national and regional level in Europe is one of the key priorities of EuropaBio. I am happy that next year EFIB for the first time will be hosted by Lithuania – a growing hotspot in Europe for Life Sciences development and operations, offering not only a welcoming and value-driven ecosystem but also a pool of highly skilled and motivated talent.’, said Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio.

Next year EFIB will take place in October 2022 and will be hosted by the Lithuanian Biotechnology Association (LBTA) together with Go Vilnius – the city’s official business and tourism development agency.

The event was co-organised in partnership with BIOCOM and was hosted by LISAvienna.