Industrial biotechnology can be used to:
- Create new products
- Modify and develop new industrial processes;
- Make the Australian manufacturing industry more competitive;
- Reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.
The Department released an Industrial Biotechnology Strategy highlighting the benefits that industrial applications of biotechnology can offer Australian companies and outlining initiatives for 2007-08. A brochure on the Industrial Biotechnology Strategy is available.
The strategy seeks to assist Australian business access the advantages offered by biotechnology innovations.
The aim of the strategy is to enhance the development of internationally competitive and sustainable business through adoption of relevant biotechnologies across industry. The broader application of biotechnology across industry has the potential to:
- Foster innovation
- Increase investment in Australian industry
- Enhance the international competitiveness of Australian industry and
- Foster the integration of Australian industry into global supply chains.
What is industrial biotechnology?
Industrial biotechnology is that set of technologies which come from adapting and modifying the biological organisms, processes, products, and systems found in nature for the purpose of producing goods and services.
Traditionally in Australia, biotechnology has been associated with the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. International examples, however, have shown that the application of biotechnologies to traditional manufacturing sectors such as the chemicals & plastics, textiles & leather, and hazardous waste management sectors, can provide productivity gains, more efficient processes and faster access to larger consumer markets.
Boost your business with biotech
To illustrate the potential benefits of industrial biotechnology available to industry, the Department has developed brochures which outline applications of biotechnology and examples of successful adoption in the following sectors:
National industrial biotechnology workshops
The Australian Government held three workshops in October and November 2008 to highlight the competitive benefits that biotechnology can bring to Australian Industries.
Further information and the presentations from the workshops are available.
Government assistance
For information about a range of programs to assist industry to foster innovation and international competitiveness visit the AusIndustry website www.ausindustry.gov.au, or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
For further information
Email: biotechnology@innovation.gov.au