changeadminThe Indian government has approved the ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing.’
Biomanufacturing is important in addressing pressing environmental challenges by providing sustainable alternatives to traditional manufacturing processes that often rely on fossil fuels.
The BioE3 Policy is aligned with India’s vision of Green Growth and will further strengthen the country’s commitment towards a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’.
The annoucement was made by the Department of Biotechnology which comes under the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology and is responsible for administrating development and commercialization in the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India.
As of December 2023, Bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $3.55 trillion, The Indian Bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $151 billion in 2023. The number of Biotech Startups in India has grown from 50 startups in 2014 to 8,531 in 2023.
The Biotechnology policy announced by the Department of Biotechnology will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Bio-Artificial (Bio-AI) Intelligence Hubs, Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs across the country.
Bio-AI hubs will be set up to augment research and innovation for the development of technologies for bio-based products across the identified thematic sectors/subsectors of Biomanufacturing, by powering data-driven research and AI-informed predictive analytics.
The Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs will aim at setting up infrastructure for augmenting the scale-up of technologies for bio-based products.
Biomanufacturing utilizes biological processes to create products, which can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods.
Additionally, biomanufacturing supports a circular economy by promoting the recycling of carbon and the use of waste materials as inputs for production. This approach reduces waste and helps capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby contributing to climate mitigation efforts.
High-performance biomanufacturing is the ability to produce products from medicine to materials, address farming and food challenges, and promote the manufacturing of bio-based products by incorporating advanced biotechnological processes.
For instance, biobased manufacturing can replace petrochemical-derived materials with renewable resources, thus minimizing carbon footprints and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Take the case of plastic made of fossil fuels, which not only produces carbon emissions at the time of their development but is also an environmental disaster causing massive pollution and health risks.
To address the issue of plastic pollution, sustainable plant-based packaging alternatives are being developed using the principles of biotechnology and material science.
Many Indian Companies and startups have emerged that are adopting innovative methods, to produce alternative solutions with less environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis.
Biotechnology enhances agricultural practices through the development of climate-resilient crops. India has recently introduced over a hundred climate-resilient crops to the farmers, which can thrive in extreme weather conditions and require fewer chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, further mitigating environmental impacts.
To address India’s national priorities, the BioE3 Policy would broadly focus on the following thematic sectors: high-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes; smart proteins & functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture & its utilization; marine and space research.
Along with prioritizing regenerative bio-economy models of green growth, the biotechnology policy will facilitate the expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. This will also encourage scientific, industrial, and societal advancements in the times to come.
Overall, biomanufacturing is pivotal in the fight against climate change by reducing emissions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing resource efficiency, supporting a circular economy, and driving innovation.
Therefore India’s Biotechnology policy will not only address environmental challenges but will also drive sustainable economic development
Further Reading
Biotechnology innovation has made Seaweed emerge as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. Find out the startups that are working in this space.
Mushrooms have the potential to address multiple climate-related challenges. Read here.
India’s progress in the Biofuel sector. Read here.
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