CIC 2026 – „Integrating Biotech – novel feedstocks, technologies and markets“

With more than 180 participants from industry, science, and policy, this year’s twoday CIC Conference took place in Düsseldorf under the motto “Integrating Biotech – novel feedstocks, technologies and markets.” The event focused on how biotechnological innovations can be integrated into new feedstocks, technologies, and markets, as well as on the role of regulatory and economic frameworks enabling this transition. 

The conference opened with three political impulses from North RhineWestphalia, the federal level, and the EU, setting important strategic accents. Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science in NRW, highlighted the role of industrial biotechnology in driving economic transformation and pointed to key regional projects and infrastructures. Max Kroymann (Head of Division “Bioeconomy; Biotech and Food Industries”, BMWE) emphasised the growing importance of biotechnology in Germany and outlined current developments in funding programmes and strategic initiatives. Maarit Nyman (EU, Senior Expert on Industrial Bioeconomy, DG GROW) provided insights into European efforts to strengthen the biotechnology sector and underscored the need for an innovationfriendly environment. 

The program then shifted towards scientific and industrial perspectives. Two impressive keynote talks by Simon Klaffl and Peter Seeberger offered a comprehensive overview of current developments and future directions in biotechnology and the chemical industry. They highlighted cutting-edge strategies for scaling biotechnological processes as well as overarching concepts for the sustainable transformation of the chemical sector. 

The following sessions then explored the integration of AI into biotechnological processes and the use of novel gaseous carbon feedstocks with significant industrial potential. Discussions addressed how datadriven models can shorten development cycles and how barriers to adopting gaseous feedstocks in biotech processes can be overcome. The day concluded with an engaging panel discussion on how biotechnology can successfully reach the market, addressing factors such as scaleup challenges, investment conditions, and regulatory considerations. 

The second conference day opened with an inspiring keynote by Lukas Reisky, who presented Covestro’s biotechnology activities setting the stage for a discussion on integrated production concepts and the embedding of biotechnological processes within chemical parks. The sessions highlighted the importance of infrastructure, resource-sharing, and flexible production concepts for the industrial deployment of biotechnology. The subsequent session focused on emerging applications and future markets – from innovative materials to platform chemicals – offering concrete examples of how research advances are being translated into practice. 

Overall, the conference was marked by insightful contributions, lively discussions, and an amazing networking atmosphere. We would like to thank again all speakers, moderators, and panellists involved in the programme, as well as to all participants for their open exchange and constructive engagement! 

Detailed information on all presentations will be available to our members and all attendees in the Special Insight in March 2026.