Sustainable Alternative Fuels Will Be Discussed at the 2011 BIO International Convention

WASHINGTON--May 31, 2011: Technology's role in the production of biofuels is key to creating a large scale, sustainable alternative fuels industry and will be discussed at the 2011 BIO International Convention. The Convention will feature a series of high-level panels examining the spectrum of biotechnology advancements. These sessions will address pressing global industrial and environmental issues from the research and development of advanced biofuels to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Convention will be held June 27-30, 2011 in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“From more efficient, environmentally friendly fuel for cars and trucks to developing more eco-friendly ways to produce plastics, industrial and environmental biotechnology innovation creates products that positively impact diverse areas of consumers' lives.”

"The 2011 BIO International Convention will advance the industry dialogue on the revolution in advanced biofuels and chemical platforms," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. "From more efficient, environmentally friendly fuel for cars and trucks to developing more eco-friendly ways to produce plastics, industrial and environmental biotechnology innovation creates products that positively impact diverse areas of consumers' lives."

During educational breakout sessions, industry leading CEOs, researchers and academics will speak about a variety of global bio-based technology issues, including biofuels, biobased products, algae, synthetic biology, dual-use energy crops, bioenergy centers and renewable chemicals.

Breakout sessions in the Industrial and Environmental track include:

From Direct Solar to Drop-Ins: The Next Wave in Biofuels Technologies
Approaches to overcoming the limitations of first generation biofuels en route to a large-scale, sustainable alternative fuels industry.
Wednesday, June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Better Living Through Biology--Synthetic Biology for Biofuel and Chemistry Production
Discoveries that allow science to better understand life can lead to medicines, enhanced crop production and practical applications of biology to solve global problems.
Tuesday, June 28, 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Collocation Strategies for Cellulosic Biofuel Production: Win-Win Scenarios Through Plant Integration
Efficient cellulosic biofuels production can result in reduced carbon footprint and reduced capital costs for collocated facilities.
Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Capitol Hill Trumps Wall Street? Finding the Harmony in Biorenewable R&D
Sustainable policy is critical to capital investment for biotech research and development.
Tuesday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Markets for Dual-Use Energy Crops
Addressing the challenges to developing a large-scale biofuel industry and introducing purpose-grown energy crops.
Tuesday, June 28, 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

White Biotechnology: From Laboratory to Demonstration Scale
Industry and research institute networks are key to facilitating innovation of biobased products.
Thursday, June 30, 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Progress of Research in Bioenergy Centers: An Update on the Major DOE and Other Bioenergy Research Centers
Multidisciplinary efforts in bioenergy centers are working to accelerate the basic scientific research needed and develop cost-effective methods of producing cellulosic biofuels.
Wednesday, June 29, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, offering networking and partnering opportunities with policymakers, scientists, CEOs and newsmakers, and hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit 2011 BIO International Convention.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling --innovations transforming our world." Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.