In order to fully exploit the potential of DSM’s capabilities in industrial biotechnology, innovation programs to explore so-called emerging business areas, new to DSM, have been started. One of these programs, the emerging business area white biotechnology, focuses on the use of our competences in fermentation, metabolic engineering, enzyme production and application development in areas outside those of existing business activities. The integration of Life Sciences and Materials Sciences competences within DSM has thus already resulted in the development of fungal enzyme applications in materials as well as new materials applications based on bio-based building blocks.

 In order to manufacture bio-based building blocks for chemicals and materials applications, the integration of biotechnology, process technologies and chemistry in current and next generation biorefineries is pivotal. DSM has an integrated technology position in industrial biotechnology, which gives us an excellent position to develop integrated solutions (feedstock pretreatment, enzymes, fermentation organisms, integral process development) for in particular second generation biorefineries.

 The lecture will focus on innovation using Nature’s toolbox at DSM and examples of industrial biotechnology applications for biorefineries and material applications will be presented.