EFIB evolves for 2013

Now in its sixth year the European Forum for Industrial Biotech (EFIB) has transformed into the premier marketplace for the European biobased economy. Responding to the tremendous success of EFIB 2012 organisers EuropaBio and Smithers Rapra are aiming to deliver the biggest and most ambitious congress in the sector in 2013. And the full event programme published today (30 April) shows that their ambitions are on course for fulfillment.

EFIB 2013 will be held in the prestigious SQUARE conference venue in Brussels on 30 September to 2 October. This year’s event marks the transformation of EFIB from a large conference to a full scale congress. The event will attract over 1,000 professionals working within the dynamic and sustainable biobased industry to meet, debate and shape the future of the sector. EFIB 2013 will build on its growing reputation as the place where business and policy makers meet with an exciting new format.

In this its sixth year, EFIB is expanding its programme to consist of two high-level plenary sessions including senior ministers and commissioners; CEO’s from global biotechnology leaders participating in Question Time; two focused workshops and roundtable discussions. Attendees can customise their experience with themed conference tracks on Innovation, Feedstocks and Finance.

Pre-confernce workshops on 30 September will cover the 'Wood-based bioeconomy' and 'Marine Biotechnology'. A particular highlight on the second day is a session dedicated to the SusChem supported BRIDGE 2020 Public -Private-Partnership proposal.

In addition an exhibition hall with over 50 stands, and featuring a Technology Showcase running over two days, will be visited by delegates from around the globe.

Collaboration and partnership
“Collaboration and partnerships are essential catalysts for enabling biobased industries to deliver on their potential for providing sustainable solutions. EFIB has become the definitive meeting place for establishing and strengthening these links throughout the value chain,” explained Joanna Dupont-Inglis, Industrial Biotechnology Director at Europabio. “The return of EFIB to Brussels represents an excellent opportunity to increase engagement between industry, policy makers and stakeholders. Capturing the momentum generated by this innovative and transformative industry.”

Ciaran Little, Head of Events at Smithers Rapra commented “EFIB 2012 in Dusseldorf set records for both attendance and value to the industry, but the bar is raising with exciting plans to transform EFIB into a major congress.  We are confident we can add value for attendees and sponsors, heightening awareness and exposure for the developments in this dynamic sector.’

One delegate to EFIB 2012 in Dusseldorf described the event as “An excellent opportunity to be informed about the latest technical and business trends.” And EFIB promises to be even bigger and better.

EFIB 2013 will be held at the Square Conference Centre in Brussels

More information
EFIB debuted in Brussels in 2008 and featured an elite group of 100 industry leaders and has grown in every successive year. To be part of EFIB 2013 visit the website and find out more. The full programme for EFIB 2013 is here and registration details can be found here.