Task 40 contributions to the 31 Symposium on Biotechnology for biofuels and Chemicals
The Symposium on Biotechnology for biofuels and Chemicals,, held in San Francisco, May 3rd-6th 2009, was deemed an excellent event to organize a (joint) task event. In 2008, over 1000 participants joined: 30-40% from industry and 25-35% academia. Also, about 35% of all participants came from abroad. The main focus is on (bio-chemical) conversion routes, but feedstock & feedstock supplies are getting more important as a topic at the conference. On Tuesday morning, Task 40 members delivered two presentations in the session on sustainability and logistics. Andre Faaij provided a general overview of the work of Task 40 and focussed especially on the work of certification systems for sustainable biomass and their possible impact on biomass trade. As second Task 40 speaker, Peter-Paul Schouwenberg presented on the International trade in lignocellulose biomass. On Tuesday evening, a joint workshop was held with Task 39 on international commercialization of 2nd Generation Biofuels. During this session, Martin Junginger presented the preliminary results of the main barriers and opportunities for biomass trade and possible impacts on the feedstock supply of 2nd generation biofuels.