Biochemicals from the Bacterial Factory

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Room fo Improvemnt in Bio–Tech

This also takes into account the energy needed to provide corn starch that is fed to the bacteria. Even here, there is room for improvement. “In the future, more straw and wood will be used – agricultural waste from which the vegetable material cellulose can be derived,” she continues. The cellulose itself consists of sugar, which can be used for feeding the bacteria.

Another important point is the availability of sufficient quantities of biomass. In addition, appropriate logistics structures must be implemented for transporting large quantities of corn cobs, straw and waste wood to the bio-factory.

Bio-Refineries: Paving the way to Green Chemistry

A functioning market for bio-based products will require creating a new, complete value-added chain: from the farm all the way to manufacturing of endproducts such as sports shoes. But new procedures have to be developed and brought to industrial maturity as well. “Upscaling of laboratory facilities to industrial scale processes is especially crucial,” says Engineer and Biotechnology specialist, Bayer Technology Services, Dr Jørgen Magnus.

However, entering into production of these ‘bulk chemicals’ means having to build large new bio-refineries for preparing the straw and extracting the cellulose. It will doubtless take a number of years until biochemicals are ready for largescale use. But the effort is well worth it: using straw instead of valuable corn means that the technology does not drain resources away from the food chain and also uses up a readily available, low-cost waste material.

* Source: Research – The Bayer Scientific Magazine

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