”Industrial Biotechnology – a platform for sustainable growth in Sweden”

8-9 November 2010

Why did we invest in Greenchem?

Britt Marie Bertilsson Programmes director

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research

... to fund research of strategic importance for a good living environment.

….finding solutions to important environmental problems....

… promote the development of strong research environments of the highest international class with importance for Sweden’s future competitiveness.

… opportunities for achieving industrial applications shall be taken advantages of.

www.mistra.org

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research

• Mistra was launched in 1994

• Has its own capital, today approx SEK 3 billion

• Assets managed according to sustainability criteria

• Mistra has until now invested approx SEK 3 billion in research programmes

• Currently some 15 Mistra-programmes and 2 centers are running

www.mistra.org

Features of a Mistra programme

• Research that is aimed at solving strategic environmental problems

• Research of high international quality and high user value

• Broad-based interdisciplinary, long term programmes

• Close collaboration between researchers and users

• Clear visions and goals

• Effective management teams

WHY DID WE INVEST IN GREENCHEM? - background

• Mistra launched a call for proposals in 2001:

• ”The New Biology – potentials and problems for environmental management”

• ”The New Biology” – an issue not only for natural sciences but also social sciences and humanities, and users

• Expected proposals about new processes for chemicals, cleaning processes, sustainable farming etc.

• Risk analysis was emphasized.

WHY WE DID INVEST IN GREENCHEM - 1

The proposal contained not only biocatalysis but…

Environmental systems analysis:

• Life cycle assessment, LCA, and life cycle cost, LCC

• Identification of factors important to the implementation of industrial biotech in industry

Innovation systems analysis:

• Implementation strategies

• Policy issues

WHY WE DID INVEST IN GREENCHEM - 2

Potential to improve environmental conditions

Excellent science and scientists

User participation:

• Greenchem involved 8 industrial partners representing whole value chains from feedstock to final products

Strong leadership:

• Committed programme director• Dedicated programme board• Supportive industrial group

A MISTRA PROGRAMME IS A TEMPORARY ORGANISATION

From ”Sustained Leadership – Ideas about managing a Mistra Programme” by Sven Nygren

COMMUNICATION IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCETO CREATE CONFIDENCE

From ”Sustained Leadership – Ideas about managing a Mistra Programme” by Sven Nygren

Mistra - last Byzantine Capital of the Peloponnese

St Demetrios, metropolitan church of Mistra

Photo C Ambrose 1997