Market Demand and Innovation in Germany Propel Industrial Biotechnology Growth

BERLIN, June 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial biotechnology is expected to grow worldwide by 10 to 20 percent per year through 2020. Germany has already established the preconditions to accelerate R&D and commercialization in this nascent industry, making it an ideal site for companies looking to benefit from growing market demand. Representatives from Germany Trade & Invest will be on hand at this year's World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing, taking place from June 27 - 30 in Washington, DC, to discuss business opportunities in Germany.

More than 40 percent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) active in industrial biotechnology in Europe are located in Germany. Alongside these highly dynamic SMEs, several large companies, primarily active in the chemical industry, are also conducting industrial biotechnology R&D in Germany. This high level of activity is a testament to the attractive conditions in Germany.

Currently global revenues for goods produced using industrial biotechnology are estimated between EUR 50 and 60 billion annually. By 2030 this figure is expected to grow to a volume of roughly EUR 300 billion, according to the "Cologne Paper" by the Council of the European Union. Growth projections in Germany are largely based on the country's collective environmental awareness and increasing preference for environmentally-friendly products. At the same time, products manufactured using these new processes promise savings in certain areas, such as production costs and life-cycle assessments. In the case of bioplastics, for example, cost-intensive recycling processes are no longer necessary.

Industrial Biotechnology - Using "Nature's Toolbox"

Industrial biotechnology utilizes "Nature's Toolbox" - microorganisms and enzymes - to create new industrial processes. The chemical industry is currently highly advanced in implementing industrial biotechnology processes, while the food and beverage as well as the pharmaceutical industries are also using this innovative technology. Products include biopolymers (packaging materials), fine and specialty chemicals (amino acids), and consumer goods (detergents and food additives).

Germany Trade & Invest will have industry experts on hand at booth 1200 together with partners from industry and R&D. These partners include industrial biotechnology clusters and companies as well as chemical parks. Industrial biotechnology clusters form a nationwide network working together to accelerate commercialization processes. These clusters represent various players from research institutes and industry. Chemical parks provide a unique flagship model. They offer a full-service infrastructure and enable companies to share overhead and integrate with potential partners. This in turn lowers costs and accelerates the potential for commercialization of new technologies.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

    Germany Trade & Invest
    Eva Henkel
    Email: [email protected]
    T: +49(0)30-200099-173
    F: +49(0)30-200099-111

SOURCE Germany Trade and Invest