Achieving Sustainable Industry with Biotechnology
Back in 18’th century Britain, when the Industrial Revolution begins. Where the term was first popularized by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain’s economic development from 1760 to 1840. it’s a mark in modern history that shows the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. Now we’ve come a long way since the first industrial revolution begin. as the need of life progress we looking for more settle solution. something more sustainable. A sustainable industry.
The search for a sustainable solution comes from some pros and cons of the industrialization effect. pros: more manufactured goods, More accessible goods, open more job opportunities, more economic growth, higher living standard, last but not least more productivity. And for the cons are Pollution, global warming, climate change, increased fossil used, natural resource depletion. even with all the cons mentioned, shutting down the industry all at once is not the solution. It means we lose all the pros and it’s not sustainable for us as a living creature.
What does it mean by sustainable anyway?
According to The World Commission On Environment and Development (Brundtland 1987) it is strategies and actions that make objective of meeting the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future. Commonly sustainability is something or somewhat that we can do over and over again. It is the holistic approach to find long-lasting prosperity.
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more long-lasting future for all, such as no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water, and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work, and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, partnerships for the goals.
Sustainable in industrial context is when an industry produces products and services in such a manner to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. There are 3 main keys that need to be considered to accomplish sustainable industry. The first key is Society, it has to be socially responsible. The second key is environment, it has to be environmentally compatible. The Last key is economy, it has to be economically viable. “Excellent environmental performance is meaningless if no wealth created, wealth in a destroyed environment is equally senseless, no matter how wealthy, a society fundamentally lacking in social equity cannot be sustained” (shell report 2000).
We discuss the industry already, and how it develops and needs to be long-lasting prosperity it’s time we discuss how. How we gonna get there? How we’re gonna make the industry sustainable? By learning from nature. Did you know there’s zero waste in the natural order? everything that comes from nature is reusable and renewable. almost like its infinite resource. Nature sustain by itself.
So come Biotechnology to the rescue.
To solve the problem, to help the industry become more sustainable. Then what’s the difference with biology? Biology only studying how organism work, while Biotechnology manipulates or make use of organism to produce products or services. for example the making of tempe, or yogurt.
The official definition of Biotechnology is the application of microorganisms/cells or components thereof (e.g., enzymes) to produce useful products and services. It helps increased efficiency and the use of renewable resources.
Some examples of Biotechnology roles in sustainable Industry including Reduce cost, capital and operating costs might be decreased by 10% to 50%. Reduce water and energy consumption. Reduce petrochemical solvent use by 90% or eliminated it. New Product development as it’s not possible to achieve using conventional chemical processes or petroleum as a feedstock.
Harnessing the use of biotech to improve efficiency and enable the utilization of renewable resources as follows.
First, the uses of enzymes. There’s a way to manipulating enzymes to produce some products in more high efficiency and specificity, to consume less energy, less waste, and use less solvent. This method was already implemented by Zymtronix. Zymtronix is revolutionizing the way enzymes are used across industries. Their innovative technology has the power to overcome the limitations of using enzymes by improving their activity, stability, and reusability. This revolutionary and adaptable technology allows us to offer solutions to various industries, including food, flavor and fragrance production, APIs & fine chemicals manufacture, agriculture, and safety testing.
Second, Improvement of the enzyme. It is a mutation or genetic engineering for traits improvement. The example for this one came from our backyard, PT Smart TBK. They succeeded create Dami Mas. This high-yielding seed was developing by bioengineering process. Dami Mas will produce more Fresh Fruit Bunch, with the same exact land area.
Third, efficient mini-reactor, a metabolic pathway modification.
Fourth, Bioproducts. its plant biomass conversion into chemical, fuel, or biomaterial. Five, Industrial ecology. It is a procedure mimicking the cooperative action of organisms in natural ecosystems. as in nature, every waste is new resources so does this process.
It is achievable for industry to be sustainable. Biotechnology can be applied in various sector that leads to economic and environmental benefits. That benefits us and our next generation to come. but it will need teamwork from the government, The university as they who creates and produce brighter mind generation and companies as they who create market and industry. Biotechnology is a crucial player in the long-lasting prosperity industry.
