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

Taneli Rautio

Then:  I was having a summer vacation from elementary school.

Now: I’m currently working as a management consulting trainee in Finland, and also finishing my M.Sc studies in chemical engineering. One of my major projects concerns the status and projects of advanced biofuels around the world, and I have to say, Biofuels Digest has been a huge asset in digging up a wealth of information.

Inspirations:  I’d like to think that we’re changing the world. Not only in a way of attaining a green brand just for the sake of it, but for the sake of future generations. Even though a plethora of concepts in the advanced bioeconomy are currently not economically competitive with fossil-based alternatives, the scientific gruntwork and basis for this kind of development has to be done now. I’m glad to be working with a company and projects where I get to participate in these matters.

Challenges:  A challenge I have definitely kept encountering more recently has to do with the sourcing of raw materials. Even though some technologies are economically viable as is, and some of the currently unused biomass and waste residues can be converted into a wondrous array of valuable compounds, it all boils down to the availability and volume of the raw materials.