Interview on the Bioeconomy Science Centre with Christian Patermann, advisor for the knowledge-based bio-economy of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and regular guest on the BioEconomyCouncil.

Mr. Patermann, you introduced the concept of the bio-economy in Europe and oversaw the foundation of the new Bioeconomy Science Centre as advisor for the knowledge-based bio-economy of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia. What does the founding of this mean for you and what’s special about the newly created research centre?

I am very happy about the establishment of the Bioeconomy Science Centre. The unique thing about this new science centre is that more than 50 research institutes collaborate here systemically and systematically in order to develop new products and processes based on plants, animals and microorganisms. Through this integrative approach the Bioeconomy Science Centre has the opportunity to function as a promising model for further regions in Germany and to have an impact on the Benelux region as well. Many requests and expressions of interest have already been received since its founding in late 2010.

In your view, what would some first necessary goals be for the Bioeconomy Science Centre to achieve?

The first goal is to yield concrete results as soon as possible – for example, in the field of plant resistance to diseases or the production of fuels from algae. Another important goal consists of communicating the complexity of the completed research work to the public, the business world and the political decision-makers at home and abroad.

What sort of potentials does this initiative hold for the region, for Germany and for Europe?

Completely new bio-based value chains are being created through the work of scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Centre – the centre is therefore an outstanding beacon for sustainable industrial and commercial utilisation of biological resources – not just for North Rhine-Westphalia but for Germany and Europe as well.

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