RBI Set to Host Annual Executive Conference March 10-11

 

The Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Atlanta, Ga., USA, will host dozens of industry executives in March to discuss emerging research needs and trends in the bioeconomy. The annual spring meeting, titled "Developing and Advancing Opportunities in the Bioeconomy," will be held at the Paper Tricentennial Building, March 10-11.

This year three concurrent tracks moderated by leading experts in their fields of research will feature faculty presentations on research directions and opportunities in key strategic areas. Afternoon workshops will follow, along with discussion regarding the translation of these advances into real-world opportunities within the developing bioeconomy. The three tracks are

"Catalytic Advances in Biochemical Production," "Biocomposites and Nanocellulose," and "Operational Excellence in Advanced Paper and Packaging."

Verdezyne Corp. Chief Business Officer Ray Miller will deliver the keynote address, offering a case study in commercialization of biobased products.

"We are approaching the conference in a slightly different way this year," said Norman Marsolan, RBI executive director. "We felt we wanted to emphasize the opportunity for company input, allowing these executives to hear the current research and participate in a full afternoon of brainstorming and discussion on that particular track topic. It gives industry and faculty the ability to concentrate their energies in a focused area throughout their time here."

 

 

Marsolan is encouraging companies to send multiple representatives so as to engage in the discussion of more than one topic. "It’s a unique opportunity for companies. There are few conferences out there with this type of upclose interaction with those directing research. The ability to take advantage of and influence our endowment-sponsored student research is another distinction," he says.

RBI’s endowment sponsors about 50 PhD students, and more than 30 are registered to participate in the annual poster competition. Six students will be featured speakers during the conference. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet these students, and discuss how their research could be valuable or made more relevant to their companies. Finally, the conference allows companies to influence the future research conducted at RBI.

"During the discussion sessions, we listen to the input, and that input has a direct impact on how we tailor our programs and future research projects to create opportunity for their business," Marsolan notes.