Industrial biotechnology can contribute to future economic growth in the Czech Republic

On 15 and 16 May 2008, a roundtable attended by industrial biotechnology experts from the Ministries, grant agencies, companies and academic institutes from the European Union and the Czech Republic was held in Brno. The main theme of the meeting was a discussion on the new growth and strengthening of the position of the Czech Republic as a key player in industrial biotechnologies, the current state evaluation and their further use, and preparation of a document as a basic material for the promotion of biotechnology research and development, and of industry of the Czech Republic.

Industrial biotechnology belongs among growing industries with a considerable potential for employment. Industrial production is by using of biotechnology procedure friendly to natural environment. It can thus greatly help the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in reducing carbon dioxide emissions as well as maintaining and strengthening the competitiveness on the market. The meeting confirmed that the Czech Republic has a professional capacity in the economic and scientific spheres, and can significantly contribute to the development of these technologies across the EU.

Discussions were at the request of the European Commission with the personal participation of their representatives, the European Association for the Biotechnology EuropaBio and The European Technology Platform for Suitable Chemistry Suschem. Among the participants were top specialists such as Secretary General of EuropaBio, Dr. Johan Vanhemelrijck, Project Administrator, Camille Burel and representative of the European Commission, Dr. Monika Sormann.

The Czech Republic was represented by specialists from research institutes, universities, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, ministries, biotechnology companies and support organizations.

"Meeting has helped to better inform the European Commission about the use of industrial biotechnology in the Czech Republic and mapp the possibility of further financial support tailored to the Czech specific situations. The resulting material from this two-day meeting will be made avaiable to ministries and authorities in the Czech Republic and Brussels, "said Michal Kostka, Deputy Director of the South Moravian Innovation Centre.

About Industrial biotechnology

Industrial (or white) biotechnology is an emerging field within modern biotechnology. It is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing "bioenergy" and biomaterials such as bioplastics or biochemicals.

About EuropaBio

EuropaBio's mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe. EuropaBio, (the European Association for Bioindustries), has 87 corporate and 8 associate members operating worldwide, 6 Bioregions and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises.