Plant biotechnology and the future of ethanol

Transcription

1 Plant biotechnology and the future of ethanol CPAC July, 2009 Greg Crabb Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

2 Syngenta s role in agriculture Syngenta is one of the world s leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries. $9 billion global company Our broad agribusiness portfolio and expertise help growers increase crop yields and productivity We contribute to meeting the growing global demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber Our purpose: 2

3 The rising demand for feed and fuel is increasing pressure on agricultural land Grain demand (bn metric tons) Government mandates, climate change driving demand New technology critical to meeting competing demands Fuel: oil substitution CAGR +1.6% CAGR ~2.5% Feed: calorie demand 0.5 Food: population growth Source: USDA, Goldman Sachs Commodities Research

4 Changing demands increasing pressure on existing farmland, creating backlash We ve all seen the headlines May 24, 2009 EDITORIAL Getting Ethanol Right Tuesday, May. 12, 2009 Stress-Testing Biofuels: How the Game Was Rigged By Michael Grunwald Ethanol-blended gas a bad deal The Ethanol Lobby: Profits vs. Food 4

5 What does the future hold? Syngenta believes for the future of renewable fuels it is critical to: Continue to maximize productivity on the farm Innovate within the existing infrastructure to build upon the success of corn ethanol and make it more profitable and sustainable Unlock the full potential of the corn plant via enzyme expression 5

6 Maximizing productivity on the farm is about Developing superior germplasm Controlling weeds, insects and disease Promoting sustainable agricultural practices Investing in advanced traits research 6

7 Innovating within the existing infrastructure is about Creating innovations that are easy to adopt but have a large potential impact on the existing industry Alpha-amylase enzyme delivered directly in grain Ease of adoption Increased process flexibility Potential 10% improvement in environmental profile Greater productivity, profitability and sustainability 7

8 Innovating within the existing infrastructure is about Proving innovations in the field Dedicated Application Development function to reduce concepts to practice, accelerate innovation Syngenta grain handling system on site in the Midwest Ability to conduct full scale trials on site, without interrupting commercial operations Syngenta trial team Fully independent, state of the art Mobile Laboratory for on site assessment Syngenta Mobile Laboratory Mobile grain handling system to quickly adapt engineering on site 8

9 Technology platforms that support feedstock yield and quality now enhanced by plant expression of enzymes Combinatorial chemistry Plant Enzyme Expression Bioinformatics High throughput screening Biotech Traits Germplasm Crop Protection Crop transformation Advanced formulations Genomics Marker-assisted breeding 9

10 Unlocking the full potential of the corn plant - Today Expressing the right enzyme in the right place can lead to powerful pairings of enzyme with substrate 10

11 Unlocking the full potential of the corn plant - Tomorrow Capability to express robust, best-in-class enzymes at high levels and right location opens up more of the corn plant for conversion Molecular Weight Marker Non GM Corn Leaf Cellulase Corn Leaf - plant 1 Cellulase Corn Leaf - plant 2 11

12 Unlocking the full potential of the corn plant - Tomorrow Enzyme expression makes available more of the corn plant Tomorrow: More of the grain Today: Grain Leaf and Stalk Cob 12

13 What a future cellulosic ethanol industry could look like Maximized feedstock yield and improved processability Better, less expensive enzymatic hydrolysis Feedstock Pretreatment Hydrolysis Fermentation Ethanol More efficient overall process leads to greater sustainability and greater economic viability vs. petroleum 13

14 Final thoughts Poplar Switchgrass Corn Soya Cane Corn-based ethanol can survive and thrive as an advanced biofuel: Maximize yield for both grower and industry bushels per acre and gallons per bushel Bring forth technology that builds upon the existing infrastructure and expertise Cellulosic Ethanol Increase the sustainability of production and reduce environmental impact 14