Applications of biotechnology congress debates focus on food and future

The First Congress of Bioeconomics organized by Cajamar and APTE, pointing to technological enhancement, renewable energy, utilization of by-products, design new healthy foods and promoting innovation system public- private as key factors for competitiveness future of the agri-food sector. 

June 16, 2016.- The first call for 'Food & Future', Congress Bioeconomy, Food and Future organized by Cajamar Caja Rural in collaboration with the Association of Science and Technology Parks of Spain (APTE), the Park Scientific-Technological Almería (PITA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, received this morning at the 'Pythagoras' technopark building almeriense nearly 250 specialists, researchers and professionals in the food industry and technology companies from all over Spain. 

The meeting, which combines the scientific and technical presentations with a clear orientation towards the productive economy and the business world and entrepreneurship character, was inaugurated by Eduardo Baamonde, president of Cajamar Caja Rural; Felipe Romera, president of APTE; and Maria del Carmen Ortiz, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Government of Andalusia. 

Cajamar president began his speech by stressing that the bio-economy "implies a great leap forward for humanity as the intensive use of sustainable technologies in all phases of the production process. But above all, it should be a big change in the field of mentalities, the way how we understand the circularity of the economy and how we manage the resources of biological origin within our reach. " Also, before thanking the institutional collaboration of APTE and PITA and sponsorship of the Andalusian for holding 'Food & Future', and invite attendees to participate in future calls, Eduardo Baamonde was keen to stress that biotechnology "focus in the coming years the agenda of governments, corporations and research centers worldwide. It is therefore a necessity and an opportunity to progress towards food security of the population, the development of the binomial food and health, environmental protection and sustainable generation of economic value and social welfare. " 

Then the president of APTE, Felipe Romera, said that "this conference represents the approach of a financial institution strongly linked to innovation with Agrobio sector science and technology parks representing more than 250 entities. Furthermore, it is a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn and strengthen networking, in a time when 160,000 people work in our parks representing the most innovative sectors of the country "opportunity. 

New uses of biological material on the planet through innovation-enterprise system 

After the opening ceremony, successive papers have dealt with the mechanisms for the development of new products and services based on renewable raw materials processes and sustainable use of biomass as strategies for the food industry to improve its competitiveness in the immediate future led the bio-economy. 

Alfredo Aguilar, of the European Federation of Biotechnology, and Daniel Ramón, Biopolis, presented the potential of biotechnology and bio-economy as engines of change towards a more sustainable economic model. Then Javier Velasco of Neol BioSolutions, has dealt with the valorization of agricultural residues and waste. Meanwhile, analysis of new trends in consumer behavior and strategies for success in the launch of new food products has been borne by David Martínez Roig, consultant 'Consumer Marketing Human Knowledge'. 

In addition to holding two roundtables on cases of business success, in the afternoon session Enrique Soria Lascorz, head of the Renewable Energy Division of CIEMAT, will address summarize the proposal for a new economic model beyond oil and challenge of developing new forms of sustainable energy. 

Finally, the director of Agrifood and Cooperative Business Cajamar, Roberto García Torrente, in charge of the closing ceremony, has insisted that, in the field of food industry, the main objective of the bioeconomy is "increasing productivity through technological intensification and rational and efficient use of renewable resources at our disposal. It is the only recipe, but you can not plan the short term, and also requires costly investments in research and development and public-private partnerships. This is the reason why Cajamar organized this Congress to encourage continuous contact between research, technology, business and entrepreneurs and farmers. "