Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology on the move<strong>Bavarian</strong> Network supports <strong>Bio</strong>based EconomyIndustrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology is the key technology delivering important impulses for the intended structural change from an oiltoa bio-based economy. The benchmarking of several countries building on 40 different criteria reflecting the situation inthe carbohydrate markets, energy supply, political and socio-economic framework conditions shows that the conditions forthe future development of Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology are most favorable in the EU, particularly in Germany (Study of ECOSYS GmbH for FNR, March <strong>2011</strong>). Within Germany, Bavaria belongs to the most research-intensive sites worldwide and hasa highly developed infrastructure for technology transfer (‘Wirtschaftsstandort Bayern’, BayStMWIVT, Sept. 2010). Thus,Bavaria offers best conditions for the advanced development of Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology.Here, <strong>Bio</strong> M WB GmbH comes into play: With the aim ofstrengthening Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology in Bavaria, thecompany was founded in June 2008. <strong>Bio</strong> M WB is themanagement organization of the interdisciplinary com -petence network <strong>Bio</strong> M WB, a winner of the competition“<strong>Bio</strong>Industry 2021” of the Federal Ministry of Educationand Research (BMBF).The network <strong>Bio</strong> M WB is a consortium of industrial andacademic partners bringing together their complemen -tary skills to develop new processes and products in thesector of Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology.Basis of our work is cross linking partners between andbeyond branches and sectors for the benefit of knowledgeand technology transfer in the field of Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong> -nology. In this course, <strong>Bio</strong> M WB scrutinizes demand of themarket, surveys beneficial inventions in academia andidentifies adequate matches that may constitute the basisfor collaborations to create innovative and sustainableproducts and/or procedures in a reasonable time. This isthe key for the implementation of valuable scientific ideasand inventions to marketable products and processes.Beyond supporting the network in all matters of tech -nology transfer, <strong>Bio</strong> M WB conducts public affairs, promotesthe visibility of the network members and seeks thedialogue with policy and decision makers. Last acquisitionsin <strong>2011</strong> to date were twelve new members. Currently,the network involves 80 members in total. Withinalmost four years, the <strong>Bio</strong> M WB network has mobilizedmore than 90 million euros for Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nologyencompassing R&D projects, plants and structural measures.In the R&D projects within the network, partners ofas diverse branches as biochemistry, microbiology,process engineering, machine and plant engineering areworking directly together.With the support of <strong>Bio</strong> M WB, collaborations are beingestablished, e. g. between suppliers of agriculturalresidual material with producers of consumers’ goods.The original concept of the network was the cost-effectiveproduction of bulk chemicals, e. g. acetate, starting withagricultural lignocellulose residues with the aid of “performanceproteins”. Subsequently, the network’s focuswas broadened: additional key aspects of activity areprocess optimization, new biomaterials/biopolymers,production of high value products for the food andcosmetic industry, biofuels etc. In <strong>2011</strong>, six R&Dproposals of network members with a totalvolume of more than 11 million euros havebeen granted. Their focus lies e. g. on theoptimization of performance proteins, oron development of new, cheaper andmore efficient processes for the productionof novel materials and theiruse in different technical processes.At the moment, two R&D projectsare being examined by referees;two more R&D-projects will besubmitted soon. Additionally,28
one so called “innovation alliance” consisting of 16industrial and academic partners will be submitted at theend of March to the supportive measure “InnovationInitiative Industrial <strong><strong>Bio</strong>tech</strong>nology” of the BMBF. In thisalliance, partners of the entire value chain will collaborateto achieve a higher added value of the current use ofagricultural residues. Particularly, the collaborators in thisalliance belong greatly to industrial branches, in whichbiotechnological processes are yet uncommon.In general, the future interest of “final user industry” is tobe intensified, especially of the branches automotive,building industry, aircraft and sports & life-style industry.CONTACT<strong>Bio</strong> M WB GmbHProf. Dr. Haralabos Zorbas (CEO)Am Klopferspitz 1982152 MartinsriedPhone: +49 (0)89-54 04 54 70Internet: www.<strong>Bio</strong>M-WB.de29
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