3. Europe, committed to industrial biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology is a reality, with turnover in Europe estimated at €32 billion in 2013. Furthermore, as indicated by James Philip, political analyst at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), roughly 50 countries around the world already have bioeconomic strategies in place.

As highlighted by Christine Lang, managing director of German company Organobalance, many everyday objects, like tires, detergents, medical implants or drugs, are already bioprocessed. The new technology and products we will soon be using include building façades made of algae manufactured in bioreactors, recyclable façades printed in 3-D, and materials like biosteel, made of spider webs.

“Several factors are necessary to take another step forward. These include more mature processes, such as bioreactors, more investment in new infrastructures, and more awareness among consumers that these products exist. The challenge lies in whether they’re prepared to pay a bit more for them,” recognizes Lang.

‘Cell factories’, according to Professor Uhlen, could play a key role in saving the planet. Using new genome-editing tools like CRISPR-CAS9, new genes can be inserted (or erased) to obtain photosynthetic bacteria.

“This way, we could develop industrial fuels produced directly by these photosynthetic bacteria with the aim of making fossil fuels no longer economically viable,” was his outlook for the future.

The advantages of these new fuels are noteworthy: they would have no carbon footprint, use only sun, water and CO₂, could be stored, wouldn’t need new infrastructures (they could take advantage of existing ones), would make all countries equally sustainable in terms of energy and provide extremely cheap energy, further transforming society.

As Professor Gòdia reminded those present, the debate today focuses on “whether biofuels will replace oil or if it is better to combine the two. And whether we should bank on high value-added chemicals above biofuels. It is clear that energy is a key element: we have a long way to go in the field of biorefineries. And we have to improve communication with society, as well.”