Reinventing Biology
Disengaging energy production from fossil-based raw materials is already here and it's a megatrend. But what’s next: production of materials using new environmentally friendly technologies such as synthetic biology, writes Juha Peltomäki, Head of Industry, Bio & Circular Economy, at Invest in Finland.
Blog 24.6.2021
This is what we know
Breaking the hold of fossil economy on humanity is a vast undertaking. One way of accomplishing this is synthetic biology which enables the use of living micro-organisms in the manufacture of materials and chemicals. This means, in essence, that synthetic organisms can be "programmed" to produce a variety of desired chemicals, materials, medicine or fuels from renewable raw materials and waste fractions, thus binding carbon dioxide.
Used more and more in various industrial biotech applications, synthetic biology approaches synthetic organisms as sort of "living factories" which open up exciting new business opportunities for pioneers.
Gathering of the biotribes
What these industry pioneers need, of course, is a progressive ecosystem to boost connections and accelerate development. Synbio Powerhouse was created to operate the emerging synthetic biology innovation ecosystem in Finland.
With the aim to create and accelerate high-level biotech business and support the renewal of related industries, Synbio Powerhouse provides system opportunities for matchmaking, business case building, co-creation, joint research... Serving as the access point to both Finnish and European synbio infrastructures, the ecosystem consists of scientists, students, investors, companies and other stakeholders.
For example, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the University of Tampere, Neste, Fortum, Kemira, Mirka and Olfactomics are joining forces to replace plastic products with new products made with renewable raw materials. The technology being developed in this project is based on the ability of yeast cells and bacteria to function as biological factories.
Finland has strong expertise in modifying yeasts and bacteria for industrial production. Furthermore, the recent ground-breaking technology developments in biology – such as the CRISPR gene scissors and computational modelling of biological processes – have put the tech evolution on overdrive.
Finding disruptive edge
Exciting new ventures are underway elsewhere, too. ExpandFibre, an R&D project shared by Fortum and Metsä Group, focuses on refining cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin into products of high value, replacing fossil-based raw materials. Synthetic biology makes it possible to utilize substances such as the hemicellulose sugars and lignin in the manufacture of bio-based chemicals.
Perhaps the most astounding example, however, is Solar Foods, a Finnish startup that produces a natural protein with just electricity and air. Using a fermentation process that utilizes microbes in the manufacture of protein, this startup is truly "making food out of thin air".
Call for collaboration
We at Business Finland see synthetic biology as a key enabler of bio and circular economy. Therefore, we want to support the creation of the new innovation ecosystem in any way we can.
We also know that, internationally speaking, a lot of countries and companies are following with a keen eye what we Finns do next. That, however, is simple enough: We want secure the next big solutions working together, using our common competences to usher in a more sustainable world. When we're united, there's no obstacle too big to overcome.
Want to know what's cooking in Finland?
Explore current developments in the Finnish bioeconomy landscape on Good News from Finland.