WASHINGTON, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The third annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing will gather top experts from around the globe in biotechnology, chemical and agricultural industries as well as government officials and academics to explore how biological processes can replace chemical processes in manufacturing, pharmaceutical and energy production and add value to industries converting to biotech processes. The Congress will be held July 11-14, 2006 at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. It is hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), American Chemical Society (ACS), the National Agriculture Biotechnology Council (NABC), the Agri-Food Innovation Forum, the Chemical Institute of Canada, BIOTECanada and EuropaBIO.
Highlights of the World Congress include: * Plenary speakers include Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty, industrial biotech expert and business analyst Jens Riese of McKinsey & Company, ethanol expert Fernando Reinach of Votorantim New Business and Alellyx of Brazil, policymaker Christian Patermann of the European Commission, and cellulosic ethanol expert Lee Lynd of Dartmouth University. Other invited plenary speakers include Patricia A. Woertz, CEO of ADM, and Andrew Karsner, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. * Technical sessions on topics such as biofuels and bioenergy production; bioprocessing of agricultural feedstocks; biochemicals; biotechnology in manufacturing and synthesis; commercialization; and novel applications of industrial, agricultural and marine biotechnology. Sessions will feature more than 225 experts in these fields. * A fashion show with models wearing designer clothes made from polylactic acid (PLA), a compostable biopolymer made from dextrose corn sugar. Speakers at the lunch will discuss industrial biotechnology applications, from food to fuel to fashion. * A Biobased Product Showcase, providing an opportunity to taste, feel, and see products produced through industrial and environmental biotechnology will be featured at the opening reception. Products made from renewable biopolymers -- such as PLA and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) -- include bedding products, packaging materials, and baby products. The showcase will also feature a General Motors car that runs on ethanol from cellulose. * Business Partnering meeting rooms will facilitate private meetings between the company representatives and researchers to discuss potential partnering, collaboration activities or joint ventures.
The World Congress will provide a unique forum for interdisciplinary interaction and networking among the 1000 participants from biotechnology, chemical, and other industries, government and academia.
Advance media registration for the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing is now available online until June 30. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register and or to view the program, please visit http://www.bio.org/worldcongress/. Only reporters and editors working full- time for print or broadcast news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers and online publications must register in advance by Friday, June 30, 2006.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
Biotechnology Industry Organization
CONTACT: Paul Winters of the Biotechnology Industry Organization,+1-202-962-9237
Web site: http://www.bio.org//
