Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers has thrown his full support behind proposals to set up a Dutch center of excellence to oversee the various ongoing research initiatives in the field of industrial
biotechnology, known as '
white biotechnology.' Speaking at a special workshop held at the Kluyver Laboratory for
biotechnology - part of Delft University of Technology in the
Netherlands - Wijers said that
white biotechnology - using biotech to produce fine and bulk
chemicals - had a crucial role to play in further differentiating the Dutch
chemicals industry, including Akzo Nobel.
"This form of biotechnology can play an essential role in future R&D and
production, not only in our Chemicals businesses, but also within our
coatings and Pharmaceuticals activities. It will fuel further innovation and reduction of costs," he explained. "Biotechnology is also helping Akzo Nobel to achieve its
sustainability targets. We have set a number of corporate targets for 2010 relating to the emission of
Greenhouse Gases,
wastewater/order_t/'>wastewater, and the amount of non-reusable waste, which are very ambitious. These targets can only be attained if alternative, biotechnology-based production processes are developed and implemented."
One of the ongoing white biotechnology research programs with which Akzo Nobel is already involved is the recently launched B-Basic program. Supported and funded by the Dutch government by a grant of EUR 25 million, the initiative is being run by a consortium of universities, research institutions and industry and focuses on the development of new bio-based production concepts for the chemical - and energy - industry. Akzo Nobel has also invested EUR 5 million in the program. The Company has identified a number of key areas, such as research into novel
absorption,
extraction and membrane technologies for use in a variety of chemical processes, as well as research into controlled
biosynthesis of co-
polymers aimed at drastically reducing production waste, for example in the manufacture of
heparin.