Beyond business as usual – How biotechnology can thrive in a changing world

In our community, one thing is clear: business as usual will not be enough. In a world shaped by geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, resource constraints, and accelerating technological change, incremental adaptation alone will not suffice. But the biotechnology community must also take a critical look at itself and challenge familiar pathways and established assumptions. To thrive, we must rethink how we develop and scale biotechnological processes, make better use of digitalisation and scale-down approaches, and create more flexible business models.

At this year’s CLIB conference, we will therefore take a thoughtful look at the status quo, explore emerging opportunities, and discuss what it will take for biotechnology not only to adapt to a changing world, but to actively shape it. Join us in Düsseldorf on 17 and 18 February and connect with more than 200 participants. Together, we will rethink how biotechnological processes are developed and scaled and how digitalisation can accelerate innovation and improve process efficiency. We will also explore how the vast potential of lignin can be unlocked as a renewable feedstock for a wide range of biobased products and how more flexible business models can help drive a thriving and sustainable bioeconomy.

Agenda

You can have a first look at our sessions and the confirmed speakers already. A more detailed programme will be published here beginning of November.

Wednesday, 17 February 2027 (09:00 – 18:30 h)

Opening Session

Including political inputs from a regional, national, and European perspective & a keynote by Evonik Industries.

Session 1: Smarter than usual – How can we rethink process design?

Presentation by RWTH Aachen University/ Forschungszentrum Jülich confirmed.

Session 2: Faster than usual – How can we scale at speed?

Presentations by Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes (CBP) and Bayer confirmed.

Panel: Bolder than usual – How can we reinvent biotech?

Participation by TU Dortmund University, Covestro Deutschland, and b.value confirmed.

Thursday, 18 February 2027 (08:30 – 16:30 h)

Session 4: Tougher than usual: How can we unlock the full potential of lignin?

Presentations by Bloom Biorenewables, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), and SOPREMA confirmed.

Session 5: Sharper than usual – How can we drive competitiveness?

Presentations by Bielefeld University, Biophelion, and AB Enzymes confirmed.

Topic Lounges / Networking Session

Network freely with other participants or join one of our three topic lounges on rethinking process design, scaling at speed, and unlocking the potential of lignin.

Registration