For the eighth time since 2004, recently Evonik held the “Evonik Meets Science China” symposium in Beijing, with the theme on “Industrial Biotechnology.” More than 100 experts and professors specialized in industrial biotechnology from Evonik, leading biotechnology institutes and universities joined the event.

Shousheng Li, executive vice chairman of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), also attended and delivered a keynote speech. “In line with the megatrend of globalization of technologies, this event sets up a good example to exchange and transfer of industry knowledge. It is important for the Chinese enterprises to learn from advanced concepts and work closely together to promote the further upgrading of industrial structure.”

“Based on the motto ‘Open Innovation’, Evonik works with the academia in China to ensure the top research findings on sustainable aspects are rapidly transferred to the industry,” said Klaus Engel, chairman of Evonik Industries at the event. “Today China owns numerous groups of world-class institutes and experts in chemistry. Evonik therefore attaches great importance to keep the dialogues and cooperation with Chinese scientists.”

Biotechnology is a firm part of Evonik’s growth strategy. Today, products manufactured with biotech processes already generate several hundred million euros of sales for Evonik around the globe. Evonik’s biotechnology platform covers the entire bandwidth – from researching new stems and enzymes all the way to a production network worldwide.

In China, Evonik has established the Creavis Bio Lab in Shanghai in 2013 to develop biotechnological processes with yeasts that contribute to the future chemical business. By combining this unique biotechnology platform with equally comprehensive chemical know-how, Evonik creates value and generates future growth.

During the two-day symposium, Evonik also presented its first Friedrich Bergius Lecture award in the Greater China region to Professor Tianwei Tan, President of Beijing University of Chemical Technology. In his speech, Professor Tan as leading expert gave an overview of current research focuses of industrial biotechnology in China and future trends to all the participants. Friedrich Bergius Lecture was named after the German Chemist who received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1931 jointly with Carl Bosch. Dr. Bergius worked for one of the predecessor companies of Evonik. His research continues to influence some of the chemicals produced at Evonik to this day.