Then and Now: 120 Bioeconomy Pioneers look at yesterday, today, inspirations and challenges

Guy Penard

Then: I was turning around an Oleochemicals business President of Cognis Oleochemicals. We were battling the impact of raw material costs for tallow and other natural oils. The rising consumption of natural oils and fats for the production of heavily subsidized biodiesel drove raw material costs up.

Now: Am working with a very exciting start up company called Kiverdi. Building a new specialty protein and oils business destined to feed (a part of) the world in 2050.

Inspirations: I like the much more realistic and sophiticated perspective of and recognition by society and governments on sustainability and the use of novel bio-technologies to achieve the badly needed control of CO2 emissions. Today sustainability and making money have become more aligned. This trend will continue. Sustainability is profitable, but requires strategic investment by society.

Challenges:  My biggest concern is the short-sightedness of the current US government. Although the rest of the world marches on the lack of support by the US is having a big impact on the whole world. Society and governments should take a more strategic view on solving the worlds problems and not be blinded by short term profitability. R&D grants help explore new ideas. Helping technologies and start-up companies travel through the valley of death is often overlooked. Promising bio-technologies developed in the US are failing because of a lack of support. Government and companies have a role to play in this field. The latter are often caught in the short-term profit trap and forego to position themselves for the future by supporting start-up travel through the valley of death. Lack of vision and courage in companies and government in the US are making the US loose out in the international competition. We should look at how countries like China position themselves strategically.