Chris Charalambous BSc (Hons) Biotechnology Master of Management (Research)

Outline: Understanding biotechnology Biotechnology and it’s three major market segments What is the bio-based economy Why is there a need for the bio-based economy Status of the biobased economy in South Africa Proposed research agenda

Understanding biotechnology Opportunities for the revolution of human welfare “Body of techniques that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives to make/modify process for a specific use” Major force for development in all countries Key avenue for socio-economic advancement of developing countries Variety of bio-based products, commodities and novel material

Agricultural Biotechnology Production of food to meet the needs of today without hindering the ability of an expanding world population to meet their needs and maintaining a sustainable environment Utilization of all technologies, including agricultural biotechnology First wave: Increase productivity of crops Second wave: Introduction of new traits in crops to improve quality and nutritional value Agricultural biotechnology is an important tool to improve the livelihoods of the rural and urban poor

Main Header Subtitle Main text Type here Biomedical Biotechnology Second wave of biotechnology Fastest growing segment of biotechnology 305 biotech-based drugs in clinical trials in 1999, increase of over 50% from 1998 Create biopharmaceuticals which target: Tuberculosis Hepatitis B Cancer Aids Improving health and livelihood of people

Industrial Biotechnology Referred to as the third wave of biotechnology “Designing of an organism to produce a useful chemical or using enzymes as catalysts to either produce valuable chemicals or destroy hazardous/polluting chemicals” Transition from unsustainable to sustainable economic practises Based on renewable biological inputs Production of cheaper, safer and faster products to a variety of industries and sectors

What is a bio-based economy? “A bio-based economy is an economy which captures the latent value in biological processes and renewable bio-resources to produce improved health and sustainable growth and development” In a bio-based economy renewable resources are used to meet our environmental, consumer and industrial needs The bio-based economy can and should be to the 21 st century what the fossil fuel based economy was to the 20 th century

Why the need for a bio-based economy? Decrease in easily accessible fossil fuels Biomass has a shorter carbon life cycle Allows for the increase in self-sufficiency Biobased economy has endless benefits: Public Good Bio-sources Energy Bio-materials

Status of the bio-based economy in South Africa Department of Science and Technology (DST) Bio-based economy will allow for social, environmental and economic development South Africa to become a competitive and sustainable player in many other areas of Biotechnology South Africa not lacking any resources: Natural resources Human resources Capital Entrepreneurship Leading to a more sustainable future

Research Agenda Investigate the current state of South Africa’s bio-based economy (Industry and bio-based value chain analysis) Asses the socio-economic impact of the bio-based economy and consider any negative consequences (Fuel vs Food debate, GMO controversy) Analyse the policy environment and other facilitating mechanisms for supporting the development of a bio-based economy in South Africa (incentives, skills development) Undertake a comparitive analysis of the South African bio-based economy with respect to European countries and the United States of America