GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK

Harnessing the power of biopolymers for improving human wellbeing and enhancing global competitiveness

New Form of International Science and Technology Cooperation

The continuing challenge is to change the way polymers

are produced and used in di� erent applications,

embracing renewable sources, smart recycling and other

clean technologies.

We have the opportunity to leverage the power of new

biopolymer knowledge to help address the global economic

and environmental concerns. In particular, biopolymers hold

great potential to tackle challenges in agriculture, food security,

healthcare, housing, water supply and energy e� ciency.

Creative use of biopolymers can help to empower developing

countries to utilize their rich agricultural resources to leapfrog into

the green technological revolution and to contribute to advances

in areas ranging from sustainable agriculture to implantable

medical devices and more.

Leveraging the power of cutting-edge biopolymers to address

these global challenges requires international scienti� c and

technology collaboration.

The Global Biopolymer Network is uniquely well-positioned to

assume shared leadership in pursuing this timely potential.

ABOUT BIOPOLYMERS

Polymer materials are

literally everywhere

- from electronics to

personal care products

to food additives to

medical devices.

Today most of polymers

are produced from non-

renewable petroleum

sources.

Biopolymers can

be derived from

natural biological

and agricultural

sources and serving as

environmentally friendly

materials.

Biopolymers are

sustainable, carbon-

neutral materials that

can help to address

the material needs

of a growing global

population without

jeopardizing the quality

of the environment.

The world is waiting ...

... to integrate cutting

edge knowledge

into local growth

... to tackle the

global challenges

irrespective of

size and level of

development of the

country or region.

... to address

challenges

of the future

in the � elds of:

• agriculture,

• food

• health

• energy

• environment

Global BioPolymer Network

WORKING GROUP

Frank L. Douglas, PhD, MD

President and CEO of ABIA

Mateja Dermastia,

MSc

CEO of CE PoliMaT

Naomi Maina, PhD

Senior Lecturer at JKUAT

Martin Payer, MSc

CEO of PCCL

Gerd Meier zu Köcker, PhD

Director of the Department for International Technology Transfer at VDI/VDE-IT

Calestous Juma, PhD

Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of STG, HKS

“ The world is indeed entering the age

of international science and

technology diplomacy where countries

that never thought had much in

common are � nding themselves

working together to solve some of the

world’s challenging economic, social

and ecological problems.”

— Prof. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International

Development and Director of the Science, Technology, Globalization

Project, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

HKS - THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION PROJECT AT THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/

project/39/science_technology_and_

globalization.html

http://www.abiakron.org/

http://www.vdivde-it.de/

GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK

FROM GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE TO LOCAL GROWTH

THE GLOBAL BIOPOLYMER NETWORK

• Represents an excellence-driven international science and

technology partnership committed to tackle health and

environmental challenges in developing countries;

• Innovates with new forms of international collaboration involving

networks of research institutes, universities and industry in shaping

science and technology diplomacy among nations;

• Builds upon the strengths of participating entities with a focus on

real-world problems that can be addressed through applications

of advanced biopolymer materials.

The Global Biopolymer Network will work to change the culture of innovation in the � eld of

biopolymers. Focusing also on developing countries, the Network will serve to promote radical

innovations through novel applications in diverse environments. As an enabling and transformative

technology, biopolymer-based platforms can be drivers of new value-chains, new industries and new

employment opportunities.

FROM LOCAL INNOVATIONS TO GLOBAL MARKETS

Design and implementation of projects

• Use of biopolymers in agriculture and food

security

• Use of biopolymers in health (medicine,

medical devices)

• Use of biopolymers to tackle environmental

challenges (clean water, waste

management, energy)

Cross cutting topics

• Setting up policy framework

• Capacity building (training and

infrastructure)

• Implementation of value-driven engineering

• Production and use of bio-resources and

renewable resources

http://en.polimat.si/

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/

http://www.pccl.at/en/

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THE AUSTEN BIOINNOVATION INTITUTE IN AKRON (ABIA), is an Ohio

based Center of Excellence for Biomedicine and Healthcare focused

on patient-centered innovation and commercialization. Along with

its founding member, the University of Akron, it is the winner of the

prestigious US Department of Commerce's 6th National Innovation

Challenge.

http://www.abiakron.org/

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE POLIMAT (CE POLIMAT) with headquarters

in Slovenia facilitates research excellence by bringing together

leading scientists and engineers from di� erent disciplines. In the � eld

of advanced polymer materials and technology, CE PoliMaT ensures

the transformation of research excellence into products and services

in high-tech niche markets.

en.polimat.si

THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION PROJECT AT THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOLThe aim of the Science, Technology and Globalization project (STG)

is to undertake research, conduct training, provide policy advice

and disseminate information on interactions between technological

innovation and globalization.

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/project/39/science_technology_and_globalization.html

JKUAT - JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY is a public university in Nairobi, Kenya. By hosting

important institutes, it plays a pivotal role in the achievement of

national development goals and a special role in fostering relations

among the entire sub-Saharan Africa region in applied research and

innovation.

http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/

THE POLYMER COMPETENCE CENTER LEOBEN GMBH (PCCL) is the

leading Austrian “Center of excellence” for cooperative research in

the area of polymer engineering and sciences. By linking scienti� c

knowledge to the industrial need for innovation, PCCL contributes

to the competitiveness of its industrial partners in a wide � eld of

applications.

http://www.pccl.at/en/

VDI/VDE-IT is a leading independent service provider in questions

concerning the entire � eld of innovation and technology from

Germany. It provides assistance, counseling and customized solutions

for every step in the innovation process: the analysis, funding and

organization of innovation and technology.

http://www.vdivde-it.de/

Role of The Global Biopolymer Network

• Promote the

potential of

biopolymers for

global bene� t

• Enable interface

of science, industry

and policy

• Share state-of-the-

art knowledge on

biopolymers

• Support a new

generation of

young scientists and

engineers

• Engage international

and local mentors

and experts

• Form multi-

disciplinary project

teams to address

speci� c local needs.

The Global Biopolymer

Network is open to

the involvement of

individuals supportive

of the Network goals.

The operation of PoliMaT is partly � nanced by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund - budget

heading 6944 Competitiveness of Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-07-13-EU, accounts 4120 and 4310. 15% of the share of

eligible assets represent earmarked funds from the budget of the Republic of Slovenia - budget heading 9406 Competitiveness of

Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-07-13-Slovenian participation, accounts 4120 and 4310, NRP-No 3211-09-0012.