Hurdles Limit Bioproduct Acceptance

During this morning's session on White Biotechnology (From Building Blocks to Bioterials) at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, Marcel Wubbolts of DSM summarized the following hurdles that present a challenge to companies seeking global acceptance in the marketing of bioproducts.

1. The transition from petroleum to bio-based fuels and other products is complex. For example vehicle and machinery adaptations may be required, and convincing the public to make the change may limit initial market gains.
2. Although 2nd generation biofuels have considerably greater potential for solving our energy problems than 1st generation (i.e. corn-based) products, 2nd generation biorefineries are, as yet, an unknown. There is definitely still less efficient use of feedstock and additional factors in how the refineries will be designed, built and operated remain to be determined, but we are making progress in 2nd generation biofuels development every day.
3. Land and water are needed for providing feedstock. Land use limitations might need to be overcome in order to provide adequate supplies of desirable crops.
4. The food versus fuel debate. Bad publicity spawns public resistance and those who are convinced that rising food prices are due to diversion of crops and land to bioproducts will choose to reject biofuels and other bioproducts.

In the words of Oliver Peoples of Metabolix, also presenting at that session, "Environmental responsibility IS, in fact, a trend of major brands". We can only hope that the as bioproducts companies remain focused on sustainability, that message becomes clears and gains the support of our global society.