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In December last year, the UK government published their
bioeconomy strategy; Growing the Bioeconomy: A national
bioeconomy strategy to 2030. Echoing many of the key messages
highlighted in the European Bioeconomy Strategy, the UK paper
emphasised the strength of our sector both in terms of societal
impact and fnancial value.
The strategy presents itself as the result of extensive consultation
between government, industry specialists and the research
community and defnes bioeconomy as “the economic potential of
harnessing the power of bioscience and biotechnology.”
As ambassadors of the UK bioeconomy, we are well aware of what
our industry is worth. From the production of more sustainable food,
to the development of environmentally friendly bio-fuels, the growth
of the bioeconomy benefts us all. But the UK Bioeconomy Strategy
also impacts the Clean Growth Strategy, the Life Sciences Strategy,
the Industrial Strategy and of course the overarching European
Bioeconomy Strategy. The importance of getting the UK bioeconomy
right, is enormous.
Then there’s the national economic impact of a thriving
biotechnology sector. The UK bioeconomy is currently responsible
for up to 5 million jobs in the UK, with an estimated worth of
£220billion GVA; yet the government has ambitions for further
growth, where the UK is a global leader in bio-based solutions. The
government predicts that the UK bioeconomy will double in size
in the next 10-15 years and with the global market for biorefneries
alone set to soar to £550billion by 2021, this prediction doesn’t
seem at all unlikely.
“The bioeconomy represents the economic
potential of harnessing the power of bioscience
and biotechnology”
Richard Harrington, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State,
Minister for Business and Industry said: “A strong and vibrant
bioeconomy harnesses the power of bioscience and biotechnology,
transforming the way we address challenges in food, chemicals,
materials, energy and fuel production, health and the environment.”
“The strategy sows the seeds to grow a world-class bioeconomy,
building on the UK’s strength to develop solutions that are
economically and environmentally sustainable.”
Four key challenges
Growing the Bioeconomy delineates the government’s approach
to transformation by outlining a wide range of opportunities ac-
cessible to the UK, enabling us to boost national productivity and
address key challenges such as food, chemicals, materials, energy
production, health and environment.
This is articulated through four high-level goals
1. To capitalise on the UK’s “world-class” research, development and
innovation base.
2. To maximise the potential of bioeconomy assets to increase
productivity from our existing renewable biological resources.
3. To support industry in order to delivery positive benefts for
the UK economy.
4. To create fair conditions in national and international markets to
allow innovative bio-based products and services to thrive.
Facilitating the strategy
These are the actions required to facilitate the growth of the UK
bioeconomy, but to be successful continued collaboration between
government, industry and research organisations is vital. Bouygues
Energies & Services is one of the key players and contributors to the
UK bioeconomy and they have a history of working in collaboration
with the leading UK research organisations. From experience of
working with a variety of highly innovative and pioneering clients,
they agree that although the technology and ideas exist, there’s a
requirement for improved high-level investment process, better
collaboration and knowledge exchange between the
diferent stakeholders.
By accepting the challenge of investment for businesses operating
in the biotechnology sector, hopefully the new bioeconomy
strategy will pave the way for improved opportunities - especially for
disruptive start-ups and spin-ofs - potentially through the creation
of lucrative Sector Deals like those that have been established for Life
Sciences and Construction.
Refecting upon this approach, Zeb Ahmed, Deputy Managing
Director, Bouygues Energies & Services stated: “With an
unprecedented demand for resources, Bouygues Energies &
Services fully endorse and support making the UK the global
bouygues-es.co.uk
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
DEFINING OUR ROLE
By Bouygues Energies & Services
IN THE UK’S
BIOECONOMY
STRATEGY