SBFC – Welcome
Welcome to the 35th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals
The call for papers for the Thirty-fifth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals has opened and the conference organizers invite you to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The deadline for abstract submissions is December 14, 2012.
Interest in producing greater amounts and a wider array of bio-based fuels and chemicals products from non-traditional renewable feedstocks such as algal and terrestrial biomass continues to surge, driven by higher prices for traditional commodity feedstocks such as petroleum and sugar coupled with increasing recognition of the threat rising atmospheric greenhouse gas levels pose to global climate stability. The number of scientific journals covering the renewable fuels and chemicals field has expanded significantly over the past decade and public and private investment in research and development and commercialization of bio-based technologies remain at all time highs. Biotechnologies offer to provide solutions that can help society move towards a more sustainable fuels and chemicals resource base. This year’s Symposium will provide an exceptional forum for industrial, academic and government experts from around the world to learn about and discuss the latest progress and breakthroughs in bio-based fuels and chemicals research, development and deployment.
This year’s 35th Symposium will be held April 29 – May 2, 2013 in Portland, Oregon, hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The conference organizers are delighted to be bringing the Symposium to Portland, renowned as one of the United States’ most environmentally friendly “green” cities for its strong land use planning and public transportation networks. Located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is also known as “Bridgetown” and is famous for its many rose gardens (“City of Roses”) and thriving street culture.
This year’s technical program will enable effective exchange of new scientific information among attendees. A total of 18 oral presentation sessions, 2 poster sessions as well as multiple special topics sessions are planned over three and a half days, with technical topics spanning feedstocks and conversion sciences to process development and biorefinery commercialization and sustainability. The program’s design will provide ample opportunities to engage in informal discussions and professional networking. Participants’ experience also will be enhanced by social activities and optional tours to explore the manifold offerings available in the greater Portland area.