We need an integrated approach to the development of the bioeconomy

At Italian level, probably an interministerial permanent table on Bioeconomy could help in accelerating the development of the agenda. At European level I am sure that a more integrated approach to the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy, editor’s note) at Regional levels will be more than welcome by farmers and industries”. To say it, in this interview with Il Bioeconomista, is Gianluca Carenzo, General Manager of the Science Park of Lodi (Lombardy, Italy) and one of the main protagonist of the Italian bioeconomy.

With Carenzo we talk about the bioeconomy and the last development of the Science Park, which is characterized as one of the first science parks in Europe totally dedicated to the bioeconomy.

In the field of bioeconomy, Italy has large companies at the forefront, with two of the most important biorefineries in Europe (Porto Torres and Crescentino), innovative SMEs and excellent basic research. From your point of view, why is it not able to adopt a national strategy?

Italy is usually well known for its fragmentation, there is a high concentration of SMEs and even in the research field competences are widespread in different universities, private and public research centers. Putting together a national strategy that will take in consideration the different stakeholders is quite a dream.

What are the risks of not having a national strategy?

In this respect, it is a question of not missing the boat for Italy. A national strategy,  in my opinion, will help the policy makers to accelerate certain decisions and  focusing on priorities. The risk of not adopting a national strategy will dramatically result in the fact that Italy will be considered a follower country and will be forced to follow models designed by Northern countries.

In this case, you are the Italian Prime Minister prime minister for a week, what do you do to support the bioeconomy?

I think that the actual prime minister is doing an excellent job in reforming the country, and I am sure that the bioeconomy is on the agenda of priorities at the Ministry of Economic Development, Envinroment, Agriculture and Research. Probably an interministerial permanent table on Bioeconomy could help in accelerating the development of the agenda.

You are the President of the EU Commission for another week, what do you do to support the bioeconomy in Europe?

I am sure that a more integrated approach of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy, editor’s note) at the regional levels will be more than welcome by farmers and industries.

The Science Park of Lodi is positioning itself as a science park for the bioeconomy. What are the objectives of the Park for the coming years? What will you do to attract investors to your area?

We are a Science park that started 10 years ago in developing innovation using biotechnology as the primary tool. In the last 4 years, it was for us a natural evolution to help companies in Northern Italy in focusing on the new opportunities offered by the bioeconomy. For example it was not a case that the most important aggregation in the biogas industry in Italy (the CIB, Italia Biogas Consortium) was created within the science park. A lot of investors now are very attracted by this biotech new world which will have a less regulatory framework and reduced time to market.

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Author

Mario Bonaccorso

Source

Il Bioeconomista, 2015-09-01.

Supplier

Consorzio Italiano Biogas e Gassificazione
Il Bioeconomista
Parco Tecnologico Padano (Science Park of Lodi)

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