EuropaBio - the European Association for Bioindustries
EuropaBio has a board of management made up of representatives of member companies. The board is supported by the EuropaBio team who carry out day to day activities and is managed by a Secretary General. The three main segments of Biotechnology are represented through sectoral councils: Healthcare (Red Biotech), Industrial (White Biotech) and Agri-Food (Green Biotech). Through our National Associations Council (NAC) and horizontal SME Platform, we represent 1800+ SMEs at a Member State Level. Experts from member companies actively participate in working groups and taskforces which cover a wide range of issues and concerns particular to their industry. Each council, working group or taskforce is chaired by a member and is coordinated by a EuropaBio staff member. EuropaBio is a founding member of the International Council of Biotech Associations (ICBA).
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Bioenergy
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
- Year Founded:
- 1996
- Employees:
- 11-100
What is Biotechnology?
The word biotechnology is a cross between the Greek words 'bios' (everything to do with life) and 'technikos' (involving human knowledge and skills). The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development defines biotechnology as 'the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents'. More simply, it is using living organisms to make useful products.
Production may be carried out by using intact organisms, such as yeasts and bacteria, by using natural substances (e.g. enzymes) from organisms, or by modifying plant genomes. Biotechnology makes use of biological systems and processes to manufacture useful products and provide services.
How can Biotechnology Benefit You?
According to the OECD definition, biotechnology is: “The application of science and technology to living organisms, as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services.” Simply put, it is a technology that is based on biology, which uses living organisms to make innovative products that improve our lives. Our industry works in healthcare, agriculture and industry to meet life’s greatest needs in a carefully regulated way.
Biotechnology has been used for more than 6,000 years for lots of interesting and practical purposes: making food such as bread and cheese, preserving dairy products and fermenting beer. Although we do not always realise it, biotechnology is a huge part of our everyday lives, from the clothes we wear and how we wash them, the food we eat and the sources it comes from, the medicine we use to keep us healthy and even the fuel we use to take us where we need to go, biotech already plays, and must continue to play, an invaluable role in meeting our needs. No other industry is better placed to enhance quality of life and respond to society’s ‘Grand Challenges’ of tackling an ageing and ever increasing population, healthcare choice and affordability, resource efficiency, food security, climate change and energy shortages.
From new drugs that address our medical needs and fight epidemics and rare diseases, to industrial processes that use renewable feedstock instead of crude oil to lower the impact on the environment and crops that are able to grow in harsh climatic conditions and ensure safe and affordable food, biotech can and will pay economic, social and environmental dividends.
All of these bold technologies, and those that are still in the pipeline, promise a brighter future for Europe and the world. But for this to happen, the industry requires sounds policy decisions that support innovation and risk–taking as well as a public that is well informed about how biotech is creating a healthier, greener, more productive and more sustainable economy.