Global Biopolymer Network

GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK New Form of International Science and Technology Cooperation Harnessing the power of biopolymers for improving human wellbeing and enhancing global competitiveness

ABOUT BIOPOLYMERS

Polymer materials are literally everywhere - from electronics to personal care products to food additives to medical devices.

sources.

T

Biopolymers can

We have the opportunity to leverage the power of new

be derived from

biopolymer knowledge to help address the global economic

natural biological

and environmental concerns. In particular, biopolymers hold

and agricultural

great potential to tackle challenges in agriculture, food security,

sources and serving as

healthcare, housing, water supply and energy efficiency.

Today most of polymers are produced from nonrenewable petroleum

environmentally friendly

he continuing challenge is to change the way polymers are produced and used in different applications, embracing renewable sources, smart recycling and other

clean technologies.

materials.

Creative use of biopolymers can help to empower developing

Biopolymers are

the green technological revolution and to contribute to advances

sustainable, carbonneutral materials that can help to address the material needs of a growing global

countries to utilize their rich agricultural resources to leapfrog into in areas ranging from sustainable agriculture to implantable medical devices and more.

Leveraging the power of cutting-edge biopolymers to address these global challenges requires international scientific and technology collaboration.

population without jeopardizing the quality

The Global Biopolymer Network is uniquely well-positioned to

of the environment.

assume shared leadership in pursuing this timely potential.

The

WORKING GROUP Frank L.

Mateja

Douglas, PhD, MD

Dermastia,

President and CEO of ABIA

CEO of CE PoliMaT

MSc

world is waiting ... ... to integrate cutting

Naomi Maina, PhD

Martin Payer, MSc

edge knowledge

Senior Lecturer at JKUAT

CEO of PCCL

into local growth

... to tackle the global challenges Gerd Meier

Calestous

zu Köcker, PhD

Juma, PhD

Director of the Department for International Technology Transfer at VDI/VDE-IT

Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of STG, HKS

irrespective of size and level of development of the country or region.

... to address challenges of the future in the fields of:

“The world is indeed entering the age

• agriculture,

of international science and

• food

technology diplomacy where countries

• health

that never thought had much in common are finding themselves

• energy • environment

working together to solve some of the world’s challenging economic, social and ecological problems.”

— Prof. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of the Science, Technology, Globalization Project, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

Global BioPolymer Network

FROM GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE TO LOCAL GROWTH

GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK The Global Biopolymer Network will work to change the culture of innovation in the field of biopolymers. Focusing also on developing countries, the Network will serve to promote radical innovations through novel applications in diverse environments. As an enabling and transformative technology, biopolymer-based platforms can be drivers of new value-chains, new industries and new employment opportunities.

http://www.vdivde-it.de/ http://www.abiakron.org/

HKS - THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION PROJECT AT THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/ project/39/science_technology_and_ globalization.html

THE GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK • Represents an excellence-driven international science and technology partnership committed to tackle health and environmental challenges in developing countries; • Innovates with new forms of international collaboration involving networks of research institutes, universities and industry in shaping science and technology diplomacy among nations; • Builds upon the strengths of participating entities with a focus on real-world problems that can be addressed through applications of advanced biopolymer materials.

FROM LOCAL INNOVATIONS TO GLOBAL MARKETS Cross cutting topics

Design and implementation of projects

• Setting up policy framework

• Use of biopolymers in agriculture and food

• Capacity building (training and

security • Use of biopolymers in health (medicine,

infrastructure) • Implementation of value-driven engineering • Production and use of bio-resources and renewable resources

medical devices) • Use of biopolymers to tackle environmental challenges (clean water, waste management, energy)

http://www.pccl.at/en/

http://en.polimat.si/

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/

THE AUSTEN BIOINNOVATION INTITUTE IN AKRON (ABIA), is an Ohio based Center of Excellence for Biomedicine and Healthcare focused on patient-centered innovation and commercialization. Along with its founding member, the University of Akron, it is the winner of the prestigious US Department of Commerce's 6th National Innovation Challenge. http://www.abiakron.org/

Role of The Global Biopolymer Network

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE POLIMAT (CE POLIMAT) with headquarters in Slovenia facilitates research excellence by bringing together leading scientists and engineers from different disciplines. In the fi eld of advanced polymer materials and technology, CE PoliMaT ensures

• Promote the

the transformation of research excellence into products and services

potential of

in high-tech niche markets.

biopolymers for

en.polimat.si

global benefit

THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION PROJECT AT THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL The aim of the Science, Technology and Globalization project (STG)

• Enable interface

is to undertake research, conduct training, provide policy advice

of science, industry

and disseminate information on interactions between technological

and policy

innovation and globalization. http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/project/39/science_ technology_and_globalization.html JKUAT - JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY is a public university in Nairobi, Kenya. By hosting

• Share state-of-theart knowledge on biopolymers

important institutes, it plays a pivotal role in the achievement of national development goals and a special role in fostering relations among the entire sub-Saharan Africa region in applied research and innovation. http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/ THE POLYMER COMPETENCE CENTER LEOBEN GMBH (PCCL) is the

• Support a new generation of young scientists and engineers

leading Austrian “Center of excellence” for cooperative research in the area of polymer engineering and sciences. By linking scientific knowledge to the industrial need for innovation, PCCL contributes to the competitiveness of its industrial partners in a wide field of applications. http://www.pccl.at/en/ VDI/VDE-IT is a leading independent service provider in questions concerning the entire fi eld of innovation and technology from

• Engage international and local mentors and experts • Form multi-

Germany. It provides assistance, counseling and customized solutions

disciplinary project

for every step in the innovation process: the analysis, funding and

teams to address

organization of innovation and technology. http://www.vdivde-it.de/

specifi c local needs.

Network is open to the involvement of The operation of PoliMaT is partly fi nanced by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund - budget heading 6944 Competitiveness of Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-07-13-EU, accounts 4120 and 4310. 15% of the share of eligible assets represent earmarked funds from the budget of the Republic of Slovenia - budget heading 9406 Competitiveness of Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-07-13-Slovenian participation, accounts 4120 and 4310, NRP-No 3211-09-0012.

individuals supportive of the Network goals.

D ES I G N: W W W. PAV EO. S I

The Global Biopolymer