What are biosolutions?
Biological processes give rise to complex life. Humans have been harnessing this complexity for thousands of years, using yeast to brew beer or selecting the branch with the juiciest berries for the best nutrition.
Now, thanks to technological advances in our ability to read, write and edit DNA, we are able to bring a new level of precision and design to our ability to engineer biology. Innovators are applying engineering principles to biology create new kinds of products and services that have the potential to tackle humanity's most profound challenges, including climate change, pollution and food security.
Biosolutions are being leveraged by companies across these primary application areas:
Chemicals and materials
Environment and waste
Agriculture and food
Biofuels
- Food and agriculture: engineering biology offers innovative approaches to tackling food security by providing us with sustainable sources of vital nutrients like proteins, fats and functional ingredients. It is also helping to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by providing next-generation biosolutions, such as climate resistant crops and low impact plant protection products.
- Chemicals and materials: new methods of deriving materials and chemicals are allowing us to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels to produce commodity chemicals, packaging and textiles.
- Environment: engineered enzymes and microorganisms are being deployed to recycle and clean up waste and pollution.
- Biofuels: are helping us to wean off our reliance on fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonise sectors like aviation and shipping.
- Underpinning: companies providing the technological advances that sustain the development and deployment of biosolutions.