Stockton MP requests Low Carbon Region focuses more on biofuels industry

2nd December 2009

Photo Caption: Speakers and Brazilian delegates at conference event on Tyneside


MP for Stockton South, Dari Taylor, spoke of the need for an increased political focus on biofuel production and technology, during a key-note speech at a top international conference held in Gateshead on Thursday. Addressing the audience of the ICIS Bioresources Summit on 26th November, she expressed her dismay at this topic being largely ignored on the agenda of the forthcoming Copenhagen conference on climate change, and appealed to the Government to be more engaged with this fast developing wing of the North East's highly skilled engineering sector. Ms Taylor joined 14 expert speakers, all pushing to ensure the region both firmly establishes itself as the hub for the biofuels and biorefining industry within the UK, and develops strong collaborative links with other biofuels hubs around the world.


The ICIS Bioresources Summit, sponsored by NEPIC (North East Process Industry Cluster), Northeast Biofuels and CPI (Centre for Process Innovation), saw 100 international delegates, including a strong delegation from Brazil, meeting to discuss issues including production methods, R&D, advanced technology and meeting 2020 Renewable Energy Directive targets.


John Seymour, Regional Strategy Board and Conference Chairman, opening the event, said: "This conference is a key annual event in the biofuels calendar and we are very proud that it has taken place in our region for the third consecutive year. This year's audience have benefitted from top speeches on a range of bioindustry topics. Our overall objective is to get organisations talking to each other about opportunities for joint working, to help strengthen this growing industry and ensure our highly skilled Process Industry workforce establish the biggest and best centre for biofuels in UK, if not all of Europe."


Stan Higgins, CEO of NEPIC said: "I'm delighted to see our bio-industrialists sharing knowledge to tackle complex topics, such as quantifying greenhouse gas emission savings. Conferences of this kind are not only an opportunity to share information and ideas, but also to lobby Government to take a greater and braver stance on biofuels as part of the environmental solution to climate change. Ed Miliband, Minister responsible for Climate Change at the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) not only sent a message to the conference via Dari Taylor, he also sent an official to the event. Through events like this there is a growing realisation the our region has a lot to offer the UK's approach to a future low carbon economy. We can have a huge impact in terms of biofuels, bio refining and carbon capture & storage all of which could help lead the UK's efforts to reduce greenhouse gases."


John Brady, NEPIC's Senior Project Manager for Biofuels and Biorefining, was delighted with the response to the conference, saying: "These types of events don't just happen, they need a lot of planning and buy-in from industry, academia, agriculture, and global contacts. I am indebted especially to UKTI and UKTI Brazil for their invaluable help and input which has allowed the North East to showcase its capabilities in meeting short and long term renewable energy targets."


The Bioresources Summit delegates were greeted with four biofuel-powered vehicles at the event entrance, including a General Motors' Saab 9.3 powered by E85 (85% Bioethanol), a National Farmers Union Audi A6 powered entirely on rape oil, a minibus from Newcastle University powered by biodiesel using rapeseed feedstock and an Imperial Tankers tractor unit operating on a fuel blend trial of 20% biodiesel and 8% bioethanol.


ENDS/


Notes to Editor


The British Consulate in Brazil, based in Rio de Janeiro, and key Brazilian business leaders, visited the North East of England back in January 2006, to form pharmaceutical and drug discovery links with Newcastle University. Introductions with NEPIC staff helped develop business connections and advice on cluster growth.


With a growing business focus on biofuels and biorefining NEPIC staff travelled over to Brazil on a scoping mission during February 2008. Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies and industrial developments in the world, following the discovery of huge oil reserves of the coast. Brazil is a global leader in the use of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, and so is an obvious link with North East region, which is hoping to establish itself as the UK hub for the biofuels industry.


Following this successful visit, leading politicians from the Pernambuco region of Brazil then visited the North East in June 2009 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NEPIC, to help develop inward investment opportunities and acquire advice on running an growing and successful industrial cluster.


The November 2009 inward mission, organised again by the British Consulate in Brazil, is therefore the fourth in a series of successful discussions and events.


Please click here to find out more about the Bioresources Summit, including agenda and list of speakers.


NEPIC, the North East Process Industry Cluster, represents over 500 chemical, pharmaceutical biotechnology and support companies across the North East of England. Together they represent the largest (25%) section of the economy in the region, contributing £10bn GDP to the economy each year, employing 34,000 people directly and indirectly supporting a further 200,000 jobs.


Further information can be obtained from Rebecca English, Marketing & PR Officer for NEPIC on 01642 442564 or rebecca.english@nepic.co.uk.

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