EFIB returns to Brussels. From 30th September to 2nd October the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Biobased Economy (EFIB) returns to Europe’s capital, where it was first launched 5 years ago. Since then, the event has grown tenfold in size but remains true to its goal of providing the premier meeting place for business and policy throughout the biobased value chain.
Brussels is world renowned as the epicentre for pan-European policy and the EFIB programme reflects this with insights into development of regulation in the field of the bioeconomy, both in Europe and worldwide. Many high-level decision makers are set to contribute to EFIB this year, including a welcome address from Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and Rudolf Strohmeier of DG Research and Innovation and Director General for DG Enterprise and Industry, Daniel Calleja Crespo.
In addition to Commission and Member State representation, the organizers (EuropaBio and Smithers Rapra) are particularly honoured that the Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio De Rupo, will open this year’s conference via video address. Belgium’s important contribution towards building a dynamic EU biobased economy will be further highlighted by CEO presentations from leading Belgium-based multi-national success stories including Ecover and Galactic. Furthermore, hoping to follow their compatriots in cutting edge industrial biotechnology are several local SMEs like FISCH and Proviron, who are amongst Belgium’s impressive SME community of over 300 companies. View all speakers confirmed at EFIB here
Frederic Van Gansberghe, CEO of Galactic, will highlight the role of Belgium’s fertile environment for biotech, using Galactic’s path from concept to commerciality, as an example. Speaking ahead of the event he said “Our idea came from a University lab in Louvain-la-Neuve, it grew in a cellar in Brussels, and developed in an old sugar mill in Wallonia. It has now found success in China, USA & Brazil.”
Belgium’s impressive local representation will be showcased alongside an exceptional international speaker line. These business and policy leaders will share their insights on strengthening the biobased value chain in order to produce smarter, more sustainable products, processes to create new jobs and generate economic growth. In total, up to 1000 attendees from more than 30 different countries from all around the world will be meeting, debating and shaping the future of this vibrant and cutting edge technology sector.
Cathy Plasman, Secretary General from Belgium’s association for bioindustries explained, “We are very much looking forward to EFIB’s return to Brussels. We are proud of the innovations and biobased solutions made in Belgium and we are looking forward to showcasing them at EFIB alongside the world’s leading examples.”
EFIB’s organisers, Europabio and Smithers Rapra, have responded to the success of 2012’s event by announcing plans to deliver the biggest and most ambitious congress in the sector to date.
EFIB will be held in the prestigious SQUARE venue from 30 September to 2 October 2013, marking the transformation from a large conference to a full scale congress.
Il Bioeconomista is media partner of EFIB. Our readers attend with 15% off. Simply book your place using the Il Bioeconomista discount code: CD15ILBIO. As EFIB pricing is staged, 15% discount always applies to the most current available price, so to get the best deal make sure to book before the Standard Fee ends on 12 September. After that the 15% discount will apply to the higher priced Late Fee.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 