Industrial Biotech

The use of biotechnological methods in industrial production processes is often labeled as industrial or “white” biotechnology. Here, microorganisms and biochemical methods are used within technological applications in a targeted manner to effectuate an intermediate step or even synthesize the final product. Accordingly, biotechnology is often used as “cross-sectional technology” – well-known areas of application are, among others, the pharmaceutical, chemical, steel, cosmetic, food, and fodder industries. Industrial biotechnology provides processes that are clearly more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than classic process engineering. This results in products that are not just the equals of established products, but actually surpass their functionalities.

Great methodological advances have been realized over the last years, such as bioconversion through biocatalysts (enzymes), process-optimization targeted evolution, or the identification of new enzymes using metagenome analysis.

Biotechnological processes have the potential to increase productivity and product diversification. Industrial biotechnology is therefore seen as a key technology regarding value creation, innovation, and generating economic growth. It thereby enables the transformation of existing markets. Industrial biotechnology is thus also a key technology for the transition to a bio-based economy and can contribute to meeting environmental and climate challenges.

To further promote the dynamic development of industrial biotechnology, BIO.NRW works together with its partner cluster CLIB – Cluster industrielle Biotechnologie e.V. CLIB is an international open innovation cluster of large companies, SMEs, academic institutions and universities and other players active in biotechnology and bioeconomy. The cluster has more than 100 members, of which about 25% are international members. The overall objective of CLIB is to network actors along and across value chains and to identify new opportunities for innovation, projects and business ideas. In this way, the cluster realizes its mission: to develop cross-sectoral biotechnological solutions for more sustainable processes and products. CLIB is an association whose members shape the interests and activities of the cluster. An overview of selected, currently running projects can be found here.