CLIB is an international open-innovation cluster for industrial biotechnology consisting of large companies, small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, academic institutes, and universities, as well as other stakeholders active in the circular bioeconomy. In our non-profit association, the members shape our cluster’s interests and activities, and we work with them to promote industrial biotechnology in sustainable processes. Active since 2008, we are one of the most established bioeconomy organisations in Germany and Europe and have built a strong and trustworthy network. Some key indicators emphasising this statement are shown in figure 1. Together with our members, we are putting our mission into practice: networking biotechnology – creating sustainability.
Our membership of over 110 organisations comprises an international share of about 25 %. We are based in Düsseldorf, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): the chemistry and industry heartland of Germany, well connected to the neighbouring chemical regions of the Netherlands and Belgium. We do not see ourselves as a regional, but an international cluster, connected by a joint vision for biotechnology in a sustainable circular bioeconomy. We connect our members within and beyond the cluster to initiate new research and business projects. Since our foundation in 2008, we have initiated over 50 publicly funded R & D & I projects.
Our goal is to network stakeholders along and across value networks and to identify new opportunities. To achieve this, we have established a cross-sectoral and multi-market network including diverse industries and markets like biotechnology, chemistry, food and feed, home and personal care, textiles, and others. At CLIB, we interlink feedstock owners, technology providers, processing industries, and consumer industries, and this is clearly reflected in our membership structure.
CLIB is a constantly evolving network that adapts quickly and flexibly to developments in the bioeconomy. But even such an agile cluster needs a stable basis, which is formed by our strategy. First and foremost, this strategy follows our vision, which was developed and approved by our bodies. It reads:
CLIB, the Cluster Industrial Biotechnology, drives the transformation towards a sustainable bioeconomy through its strong network.
How we aim to achieve the goal of a sustainable bioeconomy is outlined in our mission, which also highlights the central role of industrial biotechnology:
As CLIB, we deliver value based on industrial biotechnology to all our members and other stakeholders via our strategic pillars. We work together across disciplines, sectors, regions, and nations to create sustainable products and processes.
This mission statement already foreshadows our six strategic pillars, which fill our cluster strategy with life and content. They not only show the broad scope of our work, but also structure which activities and projects help us reach our aims as set out in the strategy. This structure is followed in the brochure you have in front of you right now. The following chapters will introduce each pillar and describe the activities and projects most associated with them. Our six strategic pillars are:
Each pillar is summarised short sentence, our strategic goals, to clarify CLIB’s key activity and role in this area. Our strategic goals are regularly reviewed by our extended Executive Board and adjusted if necessary. Moreover, our Advisory Board provides us with important information for readjusting our strategic pillars and the associated objectives. From both bodies, we receive suggestions on how to extend the network and which competencies to include.
The CLIB team works to bring benefits to all our cluster’s members. Like all networks, we depend on our members and act as an amplifier of their commitment. We invite you to become involved in the network, to share your innovations, and to collaborate.
The CLIB team is always ready to get in touch and discuss how we can support you – so don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas or questions!
Throughout our more than 15 years of networking experience, we have established a structured networking process to enable all our members to network within and beyond the cluster. In this way, we continuously initiate the formation of project consortia for R & D & I initiatives and establish contacts with investors or public funding bodies. We find the most promising partners for our members on regional, national, or international level – always having their individual requirements in mind.
On the international level, we are in close collaboration with other initiatives to cover a broad variety of topics and trends. For example, we collaborate with acib (AT) and Cluster SPRING (IT) to help companies access funding programmes, promote events, and to connect our members respectively. In Europe, we are a signatory member of the European Bioeconomy Clusters Alliance, which aims to bring leading bioeconomy clusters together. On a global perspective, CLIB has entered a collaboration with IDE-TR in Canada, aiming to scout projects for example on lignocellulose valorisation. In all collaborations, we aim to have an active exchange to help us acquire the knowledge to inform our members about new developments and interesting partners.
Our structured networking process consists of various building blocks, each having a specific target audience, information depth, and purpose. Our annual CLIB International Conference CIC opens the new year, showcases emerging trends, and connects them to markets. Especially relevant topics are taken up and presented in greater detail during CLIB Webinars, which run as online events and help participants to gain a better understanding of the technical or regulatory aspects of a topic. They often involve non-members as input-givers, extending our view beyond the network itself. We also organise CLIB on-site events, which similarly focus on a specific topic but place a high emphasis on networking opportunities. Roundtable meetings are held with a smaller group of about 10 to 15 invited experts; these meetings cover a challenge or idea and build consortia, proceed to bilateral talks, or result in new project ideas. These can be supported in many ways by the CLIB team, finally leading to promising project proposals.
Exclusive to our members are the CND and our CLIB Focus Groups. Each autumn, our entire cluster community gets together for the CLIB Networking Day. Our CLIB Focus Groups bring together experts to discuss current trends and challenges of a specific topic several times throughout the year.
At the beginning of each year, CLIB organises the large CLIB International Conference CIC, which provides our cluster members and all friends and partners of the CLIB network the opportunity to gain information about new topics and trends, and to exchange ideas about innovative technologies and methods. The conference also offers the possibility to meet face-to-face with the international CLIB family. Before each CIC, the CLIB team identifies current trends as well as the demands of our members and chooses session topics accordingly. The CIC provides an ideal platform for cross-sectoral communication and exchange between different industries and disciplines. After the CIC, we analyse the most important topics discussed during the conference and uses this information when planning CLIB Webinars, CLIB on-site events, or Roundtable meetings.
Each autumn, we organise the CLIB Networking Day, the CND. This is an internal event exclusive to our members, usually held at one of our member’s sites. At the CND, we celebrate our cluster. This is best chance to (re-)connect with the network and meet collaboration partners. New and old members are invited to present short introductions, which is a great way to for them to integrate into the network. In the dedicated networking sessions throughout the day, participants can immediately use the opportunity to discuss further and start planning collaborations.
These member-exclusive thematic groups serve as meeting points for members interested in specific issues and meet regularly to discuss current developments and possible collaboration. Three Focus Groups have been established: feedstocks: C1; process development: biomaterials & recycling; and products and markets: food & feed.
Our webinars focus deeper on a specific topic and usually provide an overview and more detailed information to help generate new ideas or recognise risks and opportunities. Each webinar also includes interactive elements and time for discussion, inviting the audience to ask specific questions or add their point of view. The CLIB team scouts for presenters amongst CLIB members and external stakeholders, ensuring that the industry view, new technologies or business ideas, and also cutting-edge science are presented.
As a professional network, we recognise and appreciate the value of face-to-face interactions and serendipitous encounters. This is why we organise several on-site events throughout the year. All of these have strong networking components to promote the direct exchange between participants. Their thematic focus can be either related to a project, a topic, or a group of members. Examples are the Realise- Bio Annual Conference or the SME and Start-up Pitch Event @CLIB. On-site events usually run half a day to a full day and balance presentations to convey information with workshops or networking opportunities.
Actors interested in a concrete project idea can be supported by the CLIB team in the formation of consortia, the more precise specification of a topic, or in the identification of suitable funding opportunities for new project ideas. We also support the newly formed consortium in obtaining funding, for example by acting as a sparring partner for ideas or reviewing proposals.
Roundtable meetings are usually by invitation only and aim to develop concrete actions to initiate cooperation or collaborations, draft proposals and projects, or write policy papers. Their topics and possible cooperation partners are usually identified by the CLIB team or a CLIB member. We organise the discussions in small groups to support the early stage of a direct cooperation. CLIB can act as a mediator of such meetings, highlighting topics and directing discussion partners in a target-oriented way. Due to the large basis of trust between our members and us, this often happens without an NDA.
Since biotechnology makes an important contribution to a climate-neutral society, the opportunity to build and grow a network on these topics at CLIB is particularly appreciated. The activity in a huge network enables its members to be noticed and to find ideas, support and opportunities. The fact that CLIB members cover the entire value chain for biotechnological innovations is a remarkable added value of the cluster.
Roland Breves, bcb – biotech consult breves
Silko Grimm, Evonik Operations
