S192: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Foundation for Biobased Chemicals

CBiRC is developing the tools, components and materials needed to transform carbohydrate feedstocks into bio-based chemicals. Core knowhow and technologies include bioengineering of fatty acid and polyketide biochemistry in microorganisms, as well as an innovative and complimentary portfolio of developments in chemical catalysis. By combining biocatalysis and chemical catalysis CBiRC creates new knowhow and powerful technologies that have the potential to nurture a sustainable bio-based chemical industry. CBiRC believes the existing petrochemical supply chain can be transformed with key foundational intermediates that deliver an array of drop-in chemistry or similar functionality to existing fossil-carbon-based chemicals. Here we will describe our progress towards creating a new foundation for bio-based chemicals.