Welcome addresses

Message of welcome on the occasion of the European Congress of Chemical Engineering/European Congress of Applied Biotechnology 2011

Research and development are an investment in the future of our society and will ensure the competitiveness of our country. The Federal Government has therefore instituted its "High-Tech Strategy for Germany 2020" and the "National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030" as key incentives for universities and industry to conduct research. Europe and the world need this great innovative strength to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Chemical technologies and biotechnology are major drivers of innovation. This makes me glad that leading international scientists are converging on Berlin for the European Congress of Chemical Engineering/European Congress of Applied Biotechnology 2011 on 25-29 September 2011. This European congress specifically promotes interdisciplinary cooperation between the fields of chemical engineering and applied biotechnology. Finding sustainable solutions to future challenges requires making even better use of these synergies. I hope the participants of this congress experience interesting discussions, constructive talks and garner important help and ideas for their future work.

Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, MdB
Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Prof. Dr. Jerzy Buzek
President of the European Parliament

Greeting Address by the President of the European Parliament, Prof. Dr. Jerzy Buzek,
to the 8^th European Congress of Chemical Engineering and the 1^st European Congress of Applied Biotechnology, 25-29 September 2011 in Berlin

I send warm greetings to all those attending the 8th European Congress of Chemical Engineering and the 1^st European Congress of Applied Biotechnology from 25 to 29 September 2011 in Berlin. I am very glad that for the first time, chemical engineers and biotechnologists have a common platform at European level to present their latest scientific results and to discuss potential collaboration and synergies between both disciplines.

Having worked myself for many years at the Chemical Engineering Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and later as university professor of technical science, I feel very much connected to your endeavour. The programme of this united congress perfectly reflects the new way in which chemical engineers and biotechnologists strive to advance fundamental understanding and translate science into practical engineering applications, which can and should be in the benefit of our citizens.

The European Union strongly encourages initiatives like this congress to foster excellence in scientific research throughout our continent. The big challenges of our time like climate change or energy security can only be solved by interdisciplinary collaboration. The more than 2,000 submitted abstracts from 65 countries show how strongly the international community has responded to the congress of this united congress.

I feel certain that the Berlin congress will show the world everything that is best about chemical engineering and biotechnology in 2011. I wish the organisers and participants great success and some fruitful days in Berlin.

Prof. Dr. Jerzy Buzek
President of the European Parliament

Prof. Barbara Kudrycka
Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education

Greeting Address by the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education
Prof. Barbara Kudrycka

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Biotechnology and chemical engineering are sciences of the future - through interdisciplinary dimension they offer new, innovative solutions, and significantly enhance the competitiveness of the European economy.

Their role in many areas of daily life is continuously growing, particularly in the health sector, pharmaceutical industry, industrial manufacturing, and agricultural and food industry. As part of the bio-economy, biotechnology and chemical engineering now play a crucial role in finding answers to the grand challenges faced by the European Union in the areas such as: health care and environmental protection, ensuring energy and food security, or society ageing. These areas also contribute to the implementation of the EU's ambitious targets set out in Strategy 2020.

Therefore, I welcomed with great appreciation and satisfaction the news of the organization of 1st European Congress of Applied Biotechnology and 8th European Congress of Chemical Engineering; this event is fully embedded in the European debate around the challenges arising from the development of civilization and the global crisis.

The importance of research projects in the areas of biotechnology and chemical engineering is fully recognized by the Polish universities and research institutes. National Research Program, the policy document determining the long term strategic directions of research, adopted by the Polish government in August 2011, ensures further intensive development of both research fields and emphasizes their importance for the economy.

Even more, I am pleased that so many Polish scholars and researchers will be participants of the Congress.

I am certain that a broad, multifaceted debate, involving such a vast group of eminent experts will be an opportunity for exchanging experiences, presenting the achievements and research potential, as well as promoting innovative technology solutions offered by biotechnology and chemical engineering. I also hope that this joint congress dedicated to applied biotechnology and chemical engineering will become

the beginning of events held periodically in the future.

I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Prof. Barbara Kudrycka
Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education