Håvard Sletta

Presentation Title

Industrial biotechnology in Norway – status and opportunities

Presentation Abstract

Biotechnology, as an enabling technology, is among the fastest-growing technologies in industrialization globally. Biotechnology is important for a number of value chains globally and nationally, such as in the biorefining of land-based and marine biomasses, in the production of bioenergy, the production of bio-based chemicals and materials, in food production, in agriculture and aquaculture, and is central to the development and production of a number of medicines and vaccines. An important driver is that in the future, we must produce most of what we use from biological resources. Access to bioresources will become a challenge and a competitive advantage. A future transition from a petroleum-based to a bio-based economy will require much better utilisation of existing bioresources, increased circularity, and also harvesting, production, and utilisation of biomass that is currently underutilized. The field is rapidly developing, and continuous national competence building (both R&D and industry) is crucial to provide the necessary national return and increased exports in the areas where we have national advantages. Norway must keep up. We have many advantages, including access to bioresources and many strong research groups and R&D driven companies in the area. More and more companies in Norway are either founded on biotechnology, incorporate biotechnology into their operations, or intend to use biotechnology as they transform their production methods. SINTEF are collaborating with academia and Industry nationally and internationally within Industrial Biotechnology, and examples from key activities and projects will be given in the presentation.

About Håvard

Håvard Sletta is currently head of SFI Industrial Biotechnology and has 34 years of experience with biotechnology research at SINTEF. He has worked closely on industrial development in Norway and has authored more than 100 reports based on research for business.

He has made many significant contributions to the development of knowledge in the field through 85 widely-cited publications and book chapters.