**Important changes are taking place to the knowledge transfer networks that support the innovation community represented on _connect. Read More **

Thanks to all who participated in the "Leading IB: A UK Showcase", presentations are available to download here 
 

Who are the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum (IBLF)?

The Technology Strategy Board has created an Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum (IBLF) to operate across its networks to implement the recommendations of the 2009 Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team (IB IGT). click here for the IB IGT report
 

View the latest newsletter from the IBLF by clicking the image below or download it as a pdf here

Background: Industrial biotechnology (IB) is defined here as the use of biological substances, systems and processes to produce materials, chemicals and energy.
For the last hundred years, the chemical industry has largely been based on cheap, abundant hydrocarbons as an offtake from the oil industry. In the future both our energy needs and the chemicals we use will increasingly be based on biomass.

IB can play an important role in maintaining UK competitiveness in global markets, where bio-based systems and processes are rapidly gaining strength and scale; and will play an essential part in the creation of a low-carbon knowledge-based economy. IB has significant potential economic and environmental benefits for the chemical industry. The market is projected to grow up to £360bn globally by 2025 with up to a £12bn share in the UK.

The UK is one of the world's leaders in terms of quality of research in this area. Knowledge and experience of applied biotechnology are growing and advancing rapidly in this country. Building on this and increasing take-up of IB and accelerating the switch from hydrocarbon to carbohydrate based raw materials by the chemistry-using industries is a priority for the SIG

The IB SIG will improve the connectivity of the Industrial Biotechnology community that spans Government, Industry and Academia and supports the increasing implementation of industrial biotechnology in the UK and assist in overcoming barriers to adoption. It will also provide advice to industry on available technologies, potential market opportunities, supply chain connections and options for collaborative projects.

A Guide to Networking in IB, view it below by clicking the image or download it here