Biotechnology Opportunities for Innovation Experts say industrial biotechnology has the potential to create new industries and new products, and produce cost savings equal to or greater than the massive savings manufacturers have gained from forces such as lean manufacturing and information technology. ( Making Waves , Industry Week, August, 2004)

Biobased Transportation Fuels (Biofuels) Transportation fuels from biomass will increase significantly from 0.5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel consumption in 2001 to 4 percent of transportation fuel consumption in 2010, 10 percent in 2020, and 20 percent in 2030.

Production of chemicals and materials from biobased Biobased Products Production of chemicals and materials from biobased products will increase substantially from approximately 12.5 billion pounds, or 0.5 percent of the current production of target U.S. chemical commodities in 2001, to 12 percent in 2010, 18 percent in 2020 and 25 percent in 2030.

The first contact between biotechnology and the oil and Petrochemical industry was in environmental processes, such as their wastewater treatment and soil bioremediation. However, there are other potential uses of biotechnological processes for the Petrochemical industry.

The Plastics Opportunity The Plastics Industry is the 4th largest manufacturing industry in the USA (after Motor Vehicles & Equipment; Petroleum Refining; and Electronic Components & Accessories) [SPI, 20045].The annual production of plastics in the USA is estimated at about 50 million tons. Total consumption of thermoplastic resins was 26.8 million tons for the USA in 2000 (117.3 million tons globally).

The Plastics Opportunity Plastic packaging represents the single largest market for polymer resins. Over 21 billion pounds of thermoplastics were used for packaging in 2000 (Energetics, 2003), with the market dominated by HDPE, LLDPE, PP and LDPE (in that order). Of that, only 1 billion pounds (less than 5%) are bio-based plastics (Biomass Research and Development Board, 2001). A Biotech Industry Organization report concluded that the production of bioplastics from renewable organic sources could replace petrochemical feedstocks by 20-80%.

Examples of Some Biobased Thermoplastic Polymers

Focused work on reduction of Persistent, Key Elements Focused work on reduction of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemicals in the furniture and automotive supply chains. Increase participation in the Green Supplier Network Sustainable Manufacturing Users Groups. Consortial R&D Projects. Industrial bio-technology applications for auto and furniture.

All of you audiences have to be convinced of the The business challenge is not just about the design of the product; it is about the reliability and coordination of the entire value chain. All of you audiences have to be convinced of the viability before the bio-based alternative can become a reality.

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