Biomass, from Research to Industry and Markets

Prof. Josef Spitzer, Joanneum Research, Austria, will be the Conference General Chairman of the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (3-7 May 2010 in Lyon, France).

12 January 2010

The 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition will be chaired by Prof. Josef Spitzer, Joanneum Research, Austria, Chairman of the IEA Bioenergy Implementing Agreement. The Conference in May 2010 will be a platform for discussing the outcome of COP15 in Copenhagen 2009 and the national energy strategies, including the role of bioenergy, which will be announced in June 2010 by the Member States of the European Union.Prof. Josef Spitzer states: "Bioenergy has established a firm position in the global strategies to combat climate change. This position is based on the relative advantages bioenergy has compared to other renewable sources of energy, which are determined by geographical, industrial and socio-economic criteria.”Prof. Josef Spitzer continues: "To be successful in the energy market, renewable energy has to be competitive with the traditional energy sources offered today. In addition to this general challenge, bioenergy is confronted with questions related to its feedstock: competition with other biomass uses, e.g. food, feed and fibre, as well as the requirement of sustainable biomass production, have begun to dominate the discussions on future bioenergy systems."The topics of the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition cover the entire range of bioenergy issues: resource availability, conversion technologies, demonstration projects, integration in the energy system, environmental impact and market deployment as well as the need for policy actions.Presenters and participants will be able to follow the latest developments in these subjects and to exchange personal views. Together with the opportunity to see practical applications of biomass for high quality materials and bioenergy systems in the Exhibition, this will make it worthwhile to come to Lyon, part of the UNESCO World Heritage and the second largest city of France, a country that has been a forerunner in promoting bioenergy.Visit the website <a href="http://www.conference-biomass.com">www.conference-biomass.com</a> for the booking of Exhibition space, Conference registration, late abstract submission and for further general information.Event Background For 30 years now, the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (European BC&E) has combined a very renowned international Scientific Conference with an Industry Exhibition. Since 2007 the Conference and Exhibition takes place every year. The European BC&E is held at different venues throughout Europe and ranks as the world’s leading event in the biomass sector.This year’s European BC&E will be held in Lyon, France. The Conference is expected to attract about 1,500 participants from more than 70 countries. It is supported by the European Commission, by ADEME – the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Natural Sciences Sector, WCRE – the World Council for Renewable Energy, and EUBIA – the European Biomass Industry Association.Press Inquiries: 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Press Office Catherina Bernaschina – e-mail: <a href=’mailto:pressoffice@etaflorence.it’>pressoffice@etaflorence.it</a> Tel. +39-055-5002280 Fax: +39-055-573425 or MetaCom Corporate Communications GmbH Bruchköbeler Landstrasse 37, 63452 Hanau, Germany Bernhard Krause – e-mail: <a href=’mailto:Bernhard.Krause@go-metacom.de ‘>Bernhard.Krause@go-metacom.de </a> Tel. +49-6181-9828020 Fax: +49-6181-9828010