Abstract
The opportunity to grow the bioeconomy is greater than it's ever been.
Pushed largely by consumer demand, brands across sectors are looking to increase their sustainability efforts. In Washington, DC, talks of infrastructure reform are intensifying. And across the globe, the urgency to address climate change has reached a fever pitch.
Through all of this, biotechnology has a role to play.
Biotech breakthroughs in renewable chemicals are creating bioplastics that can replace a single-use chip bag with a biobased alternative—decreasing plastic waste and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Innovations in sustainable fuels are decarbonizing transportation, creating new markets for farmers and bringing jobs back to rural America.
For two decades, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has provided the regulatory support to enable these innovations to come to life.
But as we embark on new opportunities to advance the technologies that make up the bioeconomy, BIO will better leverage the synergies that exist between industrial biotechnology and food and agriculture to support innovation across a broader Agricultural and Environment landscape.
This will allow BIO to support biology-based breakthroughs from crop to product. From biobased manufacturing and sustainable fuels, to food and farm innovations, like novel food ingredients and gene-edited crops, there is a home for any biotechnology company.
It's a new day at BIO.
And at this critical time, I'm thrilled to join the editorial team here at Industrial Biotechnology as a consulting editor. In my role as vice president of the BIO's Industrial and Environmental membership, I work closely with a variety of industrial biotech companies every day, including those that are commercially established to emerging companies in need of investment.
I see the innovation taking place in the sector and the policies that will enable these breakthroughs to go to market. Through my contribution to this publication, my aim is to share how BIO is helping these companies bring their innovations to life—and to market.
Since 2004, BIO has been a champion of industrial biotechnology and we understand that support for the industry takes place in many forms and through many technologies.
Synthetic biology is a technology that is grabbing headlines with investment in the field growing at an exponential pace.
Beyond renewable chemicals to make biobased products, synthetic biology allows us to increase food ingredients that would normally carry a heavy environmental footprint, such as vanillin or alternative proteins. As syn biology innovations come to market, BIO is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate the regulatory environment for the technology—especially as innovations in synthetic biology look to benefit both agriculture and manufacturing.
In the fuels space, BIO has worked tirelessly to provide a platform for growth for advanced and cellulosic fuels. Unfortunately, at the federal level, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been undermined as a result of reckless decisions by the administration to expand waivers to refiners and delay approvals of new technologies. This uncertainty has stifled investment in biofuel production across the country as we saw several plants close or pause production this year.
Investment is critical to biofuel producers who are looking to develop green energy solutions, such as sustainable fuels made from industrial waste and even algae.
But as we transition into a new decade, we know that we can't rely on the RFS alone to grow sustainable fuels. For that reason, BIO has entered a new joint initiative with the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition (LCFC) to drive state-based low carbon fuel policies, like those in California and Oregon. Currently, nine states are considering legislation to establish standards supporting low carbon fuels, with Washington State and New York both debating active bills.
BIO is active in these states, helping legislators understand the benefits of sustainable fuels and the diverse range of feedstocks that can be used to create them. In addition to joining forces with LCFC, we've joined the Clean Fuels NY Coalition to help advance New York's renewable fuel policy. Through these partnerships, we will be able to strengthen the reach and resources of these efforts.
Ultimately, the industry needs certainty to drive investment and advance the industry, and state-based low carbon fuel policies are a proven driver in decarbonizing transportation. Moreover, carbon-limiting fuel policies help to strengthen the bioeconomy and create new markets for farmers to sell crop feedstocks. These fuel markets extend beyond road transport too, as we've seen airlines like United and Virgin commit to using sustainable aviation fuels to lower emissions.
BIO will not relent on federal legislation that works to advance biofuels while reducing environmental impact. And BIO will not waver in its advocacy on the Farm Bill's energy title programs. When the bill was passed at the end of 2018, BIO was able to strengthen these programs and secured mandatory funding to ensure they can be effective.
Mandatory funding is critical to programs like the Biobased Markets Program, which authorizes the “BioPreferred Program.” Many biobased manufacturers rely on this program to promote purchasing of their products–such as biobased personal care products that can replace similar products made from petroleum.
Additionally, BIO's efforts ensured that financial assistance authorized under the bill's energy titles are technology neutral, opening the door for standalone renewable chemical producers to qualify.
Our work is not done, however, as we'll continue to participate in Farm Bill implementation sessions and the appropriations process to ensure producers receive the support they need.
As we progress through the pivotal events in 2020, I hope you will find my columns informative and helpful. Now, more than ever, the role that industrial biotechnology companies can play in solving some of the world's toughest challenges is critically important and I look forward to sharing BIO's progress in working with our companies, lawmakers and consumer brands to ensure the potential of these breakthroughs is realized.