Often referred to as “white biotechnology”, industrial biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy (or “bioenergy”) and the development of novel biomaterials. It includes the practice of using cells like enzymes to generate industrially useful products.

Industrial Biotechnology can be used to:

• improve industrial processes;
• replace petroleum-based feedstocks;
• improve product quality;
• provide energy and water savings, and
• reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.

Greater investment and effort are being directed towards making Victoria a leader in industrial biotechnology alongside our existing leadership in health and agricultural biotechnology. Victoria’s Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan will have a focus on industrial biotechnology and its capacity to contribute to a variety of whole of Government objectives, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing innovative manufacturing solutions.

Victoria’s Industrial Biotechnology Strengths include:

• a strong manufacturing & biotechnology base;
• advanced infrastructure and facilities co-located with strong supporting industries;
• Victorian companies using biotechnology research and skills to develop solutions for applications across a broad range of industrial manufacturing sectors, and
• a commitment to increase productivity and efficiency with a focus on environmentally-friendly and sustainable processes and use of resources

Links

• Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) – Industrial Biotechnology Strategy
  
• AusBiotech – Industrial Biotechnology information 
• BioEnergy Australia 
• OECD – Industrial Biotechnology