World BioEconomy Forum is ready to host you! Session 3 of the program is dedicated to the bioproducts around us. We will hear several case examples of what the leading companies are doing in this field. Take a look below to read how Christian Hübsch from UPM, Alois Kindler from BASF, and Niklas von Weymarn from Metsä Spring see the role of the Circular Bioeconomy, and what are their expectations for the World BioEconomy Forum 2020!
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Interviewing our speakers
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We interviewed some of the speakers on the session 3 of the World BioEconomy Forum 2020. See what they have to say about the future of new bioproducts and what they expect to gain from the World BioEconomy Forum 2020!
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Niklas von Weymarn
CEO
Metsä Spring Ltd
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How well are your particular industries doing when it comes to creating new bioproducts, and what could be done to help or enhance your progress further? (for example, government policy, or private investment)
The forest industry, especially the large companies within the sector, tend to be focused on high-volume products. This, in turn, is typically very capital-intensive and thus, significant changes happen slowly. Moreover, to launch new products our industry would also need better predictability of the future business environment, typically reaching at least 10-15 years into the future. This is, however, seldom the case. My colleagues also often refer to the need of a ‘level playing field’, when comparing the EU, as a region for business, to other countries and regions. I believe we can improve in all these attributes. To find new products and markets, the forest industry must also broaden its conventional network. When entering, for instance, the textile market, achieving success in the entry is, in general, more likely, if the forest industry company is working on this mission together with a company from the textile market. In other words, becoming an expert of another market, “overnight”, is quite unlikely, even for large and resource-strong companies.
Do you see the circular bioeconomy as having an important role in the post Covid-19 world?
The circular bioeconomy is known for some strong features. Firstly, when implementing the essence of the term (circular bioeconomy), the economic output achieved is always based on the use of truly renewable raw materials, or even biomass “waste”. Secondly, a typical value chain of the circular bioeconomy has its roots on the countryside. In other words, the circular bioeconomy creates jobs and prosperity in rural areas. This, in turn, when such value chains are on place in a certain region, improves the self-sufficiency of that region. A fourth strong feature arises from the fact that circular bioeconomy inherently aims at using the biomass as wisely as possible. For example, a so-called biorefinery typically produces one main product, but simultaneously several side-streams, which become the raw material for several other companies. These four features were societally meaningful already before the COVID-19 pandemic and I believe that the implication of such features, in a post-COVID-19 world, will be even more prominent. In fact, we should accelerate the R&D&I activities in circular bioeconomy to support the bounce-back of the societies.
The World Bioeconomy Forum has a diverse range of high-level speakers and panelists, what are you hoping to achieve by taking part in the event, and what are your hopes for the future of the circular bioeconomy?
The World Bioeconomy Forum has become a leading meeting place for various stakeholders within the bioeconomy. By attending the event I expect to take home some fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. I am also hoping to make new acquaintances with key persons and organisations. Especially this year, with the remote event, I hope to see persons attending who would typically not travel to physical events. All viewpoints are important. In regard to the future of the circular bioeconomy, I wish to see continued strong support by the public stakeholders, especially for R&D&I activities, and consequently, a full utilisation of the potential that the circular bioeconomy embody. Naturally, remembering to withhold a good balance between the three pillars of sustainability.
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Dr. Alois Kindler
Principal Scientist
BASF
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How well are your particular industries doing when it comes to creating new bioproducts, and what could be done to help or enhance your progress further? (for example, government policy, or private investment)
The chemical industry has been offering a variety of biobased and/or biodegradable products for many years. The circularity paradigm offers the opportunity to maintain existing assets and value chains by diligently selecting the right "circular production strategies". For example, BASF is replacing a certain amount of fossil raw materials with renewable feedstock, which is partially derived from waste, as input in chemical processes. This amount can then be allocated to the respective sales products using the biomass balance approach. This structural transformation is not for free, however. Progress will be sped up, if all partners in the value chain help carrying these additional costs.
Do you see the circular bioeconomy as having an important role in the post Covid-19 world?
Yes, definitively. Circularity of product streams will play a key role in reducing both societal carbon footprint and environmental load on water, air and soil quality.
The World Bioeconomy Forum has a diverse range of high-level speakers and panelists, what are you hoping to achieve by taking part in the event, and what are your hopes for the future of the circular bioeconomy?
My hope is to exchange ideas and information to jointly improve understanding of the complex circular bioeconomy topic. Only by clear identification of key topics, for example defining the "optimal" biobased feedstock in terms of availability, cost and transformation efficiency, both sustainable and economically sound circular product flows can be developed.
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Christian Hübsch
Director
UPM Biochemicals Lignin
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How well are your particular industries doing when it comes to creating new bioproducts, and what could be done to help or enhance your progress further? (for example, government policy, or private investment)
The forest industry, including UPM, seems to be well underway regarding the creation of new bioproducts. Based on the industry’s core competence in sourcing and processing sustainably produced biomass, various companies have established their own programs towards biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. Given the size of the leading players, bioproduct-related initiatives are typically scalable, which will help in the long run in making significant contributions to the bioeconomy.
Covid-19 has shown that fast and far-reaching regulatory measures are possible. The EU should be at the forefront of a global intiative on climate actions. External costs on climate and the environment need to be internalized, a CO2-tax being one possible instrument. Politics needs to steer transformation towards circularity and sufficiency, by incentivizing / mandating the concept of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace’. Renewable carbon is the key to achieving the EU-target of climate-neutrality by 2050.
Do you see the circular bioeconomy as having an important role in the post Covid-19 world?
The Covid-19 crisis has shown the vulnerability of today’s global supply chains. The bioeconomy concept is targeting shorter and often regional supply chains, which are more resilient towards potential disruptions. Additional benefits are short transportation distances, reduced lead-time, reduction in inventory, and overall significant reduction of the carbon footprint.
Secondly, Covid-19 has sensitized consumers regarding the importance of healthy and sustainable products. It will be crucial to intensify stakeholder communication and to allow end-consumers to easily differentiate between sustainable and non-sustainable products.
Lastly, the pandemic has shown that fast and extensive regulatory measures are possible, if required. In order to achieve the 2050 EU climate-neutrality target it will be of utmost importance to quickly establish a legislative framework that will allow the phasing out of fossil carbon from today’s value chains.
As the bioeconomy can provide solutions to many challenges, it has the potential to emerge from the crisis even stronger than before.
The World Bioeconomy Forum has a diverse range of high-level speakers and panelists, what are you hoping to achieve by taking part in the event, and what are your hopes for the future of the circular bioeconomy?
This year’s World Bioeconomy Forum has a remarkable line-up of contributors, from politics, industry, and academia. I am more than confident that there will be plenty of opportunities for getting new insights and inspiration. With more and more renewable solutions becoming available to the market, and new technologies maturing, my hope is that all stakeholders, but especially politics take bold steps in further developing the circular bioeconomy. We should not forget that ultimately consumers will be the key driver. Keeping consumers informed about the benefits of the circular bioeconomy will be critical.
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Our networking tool at the event allows you to create your own profile, list your interests, find other participants whose interests align with yours, and chat and schedule meetings with them!
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Session 3 (Bioproducts around us) will be hosted by AFRY - You can find them and our latest media partners below!
Interested in partnering with us? Contact our regional representatives for more information!
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World BioEconomy Forum Awards
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What is a World Bioeconomy Forum Award?
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The World BioEconomy Forum honours remarkable actions which have been enhanced in the circular bioeconomy. The awards recognise companies, products and people whose contribution brought a remarkable impact to the circular bioeconomy and climate change.
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Award certificates are handed over at the annual forums during the Award selection and Closing remarks session, prior to the annual declaration announcement. Winners will be selected by the Jury (Advisory Board of WCBEF), comprised of prominent people in the circular bioeconomy world.
Would you like to hint a certain candidate to some of the categories? Send an email to info@wcbef.com!
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