Bio based Economy

Figures

• Biotech processes lead to sustained efficiency increases: yields of amino acids are now more than 15 times higher than when the process was first developed (OECD)
  
  
• Biotechnology can simplify processes and reduce costs: Vitamin B2 is now made in a single step fermentation process rather than a 6-stage chemical route, and operating costs have been halved. (OECD)
  
  
• Fermentation processes reduce energy costs: Acrylamide (used to produce acrylic polymers) is now made in higher purity, with a process using 80% less energy. (OECD)
  
  
• Bio-products are moving into the mainstream: Poly-lactic acid, a fully-biodegradable polymer made from corn starch, is already produced at an annual rate of 140,000 tonnes. (OECD)
  
  
• Biotechnology is good for the environment: Using enzymes as a bleaching aid for wood pulp reduces chlorine use by 10-15% and leaves 60% less bound chlorine in the waste water. (OECD)
  
  
• Biotechnology cleans up extractive industries: About a quarter of the world’s copper is obtained by bio-leaching the metal from low grade ores at the mine. This reduces transport costs and eliminates the discharge of large quantities of sulphur dioxide, arsenic and heavy metals into the atmosphere. (OECD)
  
  
• Biotechnology makes the textile industry more sustainable: Enzymic scouring of cotton reduces energy use by 25% and waste by 60% while giving an overall 20% cost reduction. (Blue book)
  
  
• In 2003, the European biotechnology industry had:
  
  
  • Nearly 2000 companies (more than the USA)
  • Employed 94,000 people (just over half that of the US sector)
  • Spent €6 billion on R&D (only about one-third of the American figure)
  • Had revenues of €19 billion (less than half the US)
  • Formed 132 new companies (60% more than America) (Critical I)
    
    
• Elite European biotech companies – the top 4% – outperform the typical American company of the same age by 100%. (Critical I)