Hope abounds in the new organisation BioRefining Alliance, a partnership among industries, organisations, public authorities and institutions, whose purpose is to make Denmark independent of fossil fuels. The Danish Agriculture & Food Council (the DAFC) and the companies Novozymes, Dong Energy and Haldor Topsøe are partners in the project in which agricultural matters will play an important role for a future biobased society.

“In a world with a growing population and increasing demand for both food and energy it is important that we think about the future. The organisation aims to turn our society into a biobased society. This means that we must find new ways of replacing fossil fuels and oil-based materials with biomass. Apart from being independent of the worlds limited fossil resources, the aim is to place Denmark as a global frontrunner in biotech and cleantech”, says Bruno Sander Nielsen, Chief Adviser in the DAFC.

Agriculture is key
The visions for the BioRefining Alliance were debated already in August 2011 when 70 experts in research, business and politics met at a strategy camp. One of the key issues in the vision is agriculture and agro-industry. They will be important stakeholders in the future biobased society, both as suppliers of raw materials to meet a broad range of community needs and to ensure the re-circulation of nutrients and the protection of nature.

“Agriculture and horticulture are producing our food, but the agricultural sector is also supplier of biomass from crops which must be used for the production of energy and environmentally friendly products. It is therefore essential that the agricultural sector is involved in innovative projects and in the development of new technologies. The first step is to prepare a targeted action plan,” Says Bruno Sander Nielsen.
 

Read more about bioenergy on www.stateofgreen.com