GBEV and BiotechCorp sign agreement in support of bio-based economy

Ghent Bio-Economy Valley (GBEV) and Malaysian Biotechnology (BiotechCorp) have signed a collaboration agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in support of companies and research institutes in the bio-economy business in Belgium and Malaysia. The main goal is to facilitate collaboration and the development of commercial applications in both countries.

A non-profit and network organisation, GBEV supports the development of sustainable bio-based activities and resulting economic growth in the Ghent region. This is done through participation in research projects, the creation of public awareness and the realisation of industrial integration, synergy and cluster formation.

An example of integration is the Rodenhuizedok biorefinery cluster at the port of Ghent. It produces bioethanol, biodiesel and renewable electricity onsite and is one of Europe's largest integrated bioenergy production complexes.

BiotechCorp, an agency under the purview of the Malaysia Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is responsible for the execution of the objectives of the Malaysian National Biotechnology Policy. The collaboration between both organisations was established after mutual visits between Biotechcorp and GBEV in 2013 and 2014.

'The aim of this collaboration agreement is to build an international network and knowledge platform which allows to share information, tools and resources on the development of bio-based technology and products and thus create new collaborations between Malaysian and Belgian companies and research institutes in the bio-based economic business. This will be done by organising business partner meetings, business matching and by participation in congresses, workshops and seminars in Belgium and Malaysia,' says Sofie Dobbelaere, executive director of GBEV.

BiotechCorp is particularly interested in learning more about eco-efficient clusters such as the Rodenhuize biorefinery cluster in Ghent, with the purpose of developing a customised implementation model for Malaysia. Other planned initiatives are the organisation of business matches between Belgian and Malaysian companies in the bio-economy business, the start-up of multidisciplinary collaboration agreements and facilitation of innovative opportunities.

The agreement was signed by Hendrik-Jan van Engelen, commercial manager at Port of Ghent and member of the board of GBEV, and Mohd Nazlee Kamal, CEO at BiotechCorp.