Industrial biotechnology – Markets and industry structure

Authors

  • Gunter Festel Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf
  • Christian Detzel Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf
  • Ruth Maas Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5912/jcb478

Keywords:

industrial biotechnology, biochemicals, biobased products, renewable feedstocks, bioeconomy

Abstract

An increasing number of chemicals and materials, like base chemicals and polymers, as well as high value products, such as consumer chemicals and specialty chemicals, are produced using biotechnology in one or more of the process steps. In 2010, the sale volume of biotechnology products was around 92 billion Euro worldwide. Sales are estimated to increase to around 228 billion Euro in 2015 and to around 515 billion Euro in 2020. On a sector level, the largest market potential lies in the production of biopolymers and active pharmaceutical ingredients. As a rule, commercial development is mainly driven by multinational enterprises, whereas small and medium enterprises contribute primarily to the technological development. Especially the latter group faces several challenges during their development. These mainly concern business models and growth strategies as well as financing strategies and resources. Investors have not yet fully identified the area of industrial biotechnology as an attractive investment field but they could become a major capital source as they start to understand more the potential of industrial biotechnology.

Author Biographies

  • Gunter Festel, Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf

    Gunter Festel is co-founder of Autodisplay Biotech GmbH and responsible for business development. He founded the Swiss investment firm FESTEL CAPITAL and has co-founded, as founding angel, numerous start-ups in Germany and Switzerland. Previously, he was a member of the management team and head of the consulting business for the chemical and healthcare industry with Arthur D. Little and a consultant with McKinsey. He started his career with Bayer, where he held various management positions in R&D and marketing.

  • Christian Detzel, Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf

    Christian Detzel joined Autodisplay Biotech GmbH in January 2011 as a senior scientist and business developer. He started his scientific career as a PhD student in the research group of Prof. Dr. Jose at the Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf. Prior to that, he studied pharmacy at the Philipps-University in Marburg/Germany.

  • Ruth Maas, Autodisplay Biotech GmbH Merowinger Platz 1a D-40225 Dusseldorf

    Ruth Maas is co-founder and CEO of Autodisplay Biotech GmbH. She studied molecular biology at the University of Saarbrucken and the Eberhard Karls University Tubingen. Before founding Autodisplay Biotech GmbH, she was a group leader at the Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf. In 2000, she was also co-founder of the start-up company Pharmacelcus GmbH in Saarbrucken.

References

Festel, G., Knöll, J. and Götz, H. (2004) Industrial Biotech - Influencing Production. Chemistry & Industry 7: 21-22.

Hermann, B.G., Blok, K. and Patel, M. K. (2007) Producing Bio-Based Bulk Chemicals Using Industrial Biotechnology Saves Energy and Combats Climate Change. En-vironmental Science & Technology 41 (22): 7915-7921.

Coons, R. (2010) Industrial Biotechnology. Chemical Week 172 (27): 22-26.

Festel, G. (2010) Industrial biotechnology: Market size, company types, business models, and growth strategies. Industrial Biotechnology 6 (2): 88-94.

Nieuwenhuizen, P. and Lyon, D. (2010) Anticipating opportunities in industrial biotechnology: Sizing the market and growth szenarios. Journal of Commercial Biotechnology 17 (2): 159-164.

Festel, G. (2011) Drivers and barriers for industrial biotechnology. International Sugar Journal 113 (1345): 19-23.

EuropaBio (2003) White Biotechnology: Gateway to a More Sustainable Future, 10 April, Brussels.

Dechema (2004) Weiße Biotechnologie - Chancen für Deutschland. Position Paper DECHEMA e.V.

EuropaBio (2005) Industrial or White Biotechnology, Brussels.

VDI Technologiezentrum (2006) Biokatalyse in der industriellen Produktion. Düssel-dorf.

Joint Research Center (JRC) (2007) Consequences, Opportunities and Challenges of Modern Biotechnology for Europe, Reference Report, May 2007.

United States International Trade Commission (USITC) (2008) Industrial Biotechnology - Development and Adoption by the U.S. Chemical and Biofuel Industries. Inves-tigation No. 332-481, USITC Publication 4020, July 2008, Washington.

Kircher, M. (2011) Industrial biotechnology becomes a key competitive factor. Journal of Business Chemistry 8 (1): 3-4.

Nesbitt, E.R. (2009) Industrial Biotechnology in China Amidst Changing Market Conditions. Journal of International Commerce and Economics, Vol. 2, September 2009, pp. 51-96.

Conseil Européen de l'Industrie Chimique (CEFIC) (2010): Facts and Figures, Sep-tember 2010.

Festel, G., Knöll, J., Götz, H. and Zinke, H. (2004) Bio-ways to drugs. European Chemical News, 19 January, p 22.

Tamis, W.L.M., van Dommelen, A. and de Snoo, G.R. (2009) Lack of transparency on environmental risks of genetically modified microorganisms in industrial biotechnol-ogy. Journal of Cleaner Production 17 (6): 581-592.

Bevan, M. and Franssen, M. (2006), Investing in green and industrial biotech. Nature Biotechnology 24, (7): 765-767.

Schneider, B. (2009) Commentary: A capital market's view on Industrial Biotechnology - proper valuation is the key for picking the right investment opportunities in stormy times. Journal of Business Chemistry 6 (3): 108-110.

BioIndustry Association (2009) Access to capital challenges future of UK life sciences industry - Urgent Government investment required. BioIndustry Association survey 30 March, http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/access-capital-challenges-future-uk-life-sciences-industry-urgent-government-investme.

EuropaBio (2009) Time for Action: The Financial Crisis and Biotech SMEs, Rev 06, September 2009, Brussels.

Downloads

Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Article