BioE3 policy to nurture green growth, create jobs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 25

With an aim to push biotechnology-based manufacturing, biomanufacturing and bio-artificial intelligence hubs and biofoundry will be established in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The Union Cabinet on August 24 cleared BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy. The policy that will be steered by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will look towards facilitating skilled workforce and create jobs, besides nurturing green growth.

Officials from the DBT said the government was open to international collaborations to boost biotech manufacturing.

“Implementation of the policy will be in three buckets - discovering and integrated research network, bridging the gaps and setting up of bio-enabler hubs. Under these bio-synthetic platforms through a combination of innovative technologies, multi-disciplinary collaboration will be developed. The government will support the creation of specialised centres such as biomanufacturing and Bio-AI hubs and biofoundries. Bio-AI hubs will accelerate discoveries in improving healthcare solutions and drive innovations,” an official said.

“The BioE3 policy will broadly focus on following strategic/thematic sectors - high value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes; smart proteins & functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture & its utilisation; marine and space research,” a statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology said.

Biofoundry is a specialised facility equipped with automated tools and technologies for construction and testing of biological systems.

Officials also said high performance biomanufacturing would also curb pollution, address climate change and farming and food challenges.

“Steel and cement industries emit carbon dioxide and flue gas which are major contributors to pollution. Microalgae can capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and flue gas emissions and convert it into biomass or other organic compounds. The biomass can then be used as a carbon source to produce other products such as petroleum and green diesel,” officials said.