Scaling up industrial biotechnology: TransBIB outlines approaches, infrastructure and specific services
How can biotechnological processes successfully make the transition from the laboratory to industrial scale? This key question was the focus of the online workshop ‘Scaling up industrial biotech: infrastructure and development potential at the Straubing Scale-up Hub and beyond’, organised by TransBIB partner BioCampus Straubing GmbH.
Industrial biotechnology is a key technology for the transition to a bio-based, circular economy. At the same time, scaling up biotechnological processes poses major challenges for many stakeholders – particularly due to complex biological systems, high investment costs and limited access to suitable infrastructure. In this context, TransBIB aims to create transparency, pool knowledge about available scaling infrastructure and specifically connect stakeholders throughout the entire scale-up journey.
A key focus of the workshop was the presentation of the TransBIB One-Stop Shop, with an emphasis on content relating to scaling. Dennis Herzberg, Managing Director of CLIB – Cluster Industrielle Biotechnologie e. V., presented the TransBIB database on scaling infrastructure. It enables companies, start-ups and research institutions to search specifically for suitable facilities, equipment, services and cooperation partners for their scaling projects. The service is complemented by a matching platform that brings together users and solution providers – for example, from plant engineering, sensor technology, AI or process development. In addition, hands-on roadmaps and guidelines, including illustrations of model processes, provide an insight into the procedures involved in bioprocess scaling.
As a concrete example of application, the workshop presented the activities and future services at BioCampus Straubing. Ann-Kathrin Wagner and Dr Laura Lautenschläger (BioCampus Straubing GmbH) provided insights into the development of the scale-up hub for industrial biotechnology. Under the umbrella of the “Biotech Scale-up Hub at BioCampus”, the services of theBioCampus MultiPilot (demonstration scale), the Bio Scale-up Centre at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability (pilot scale) and other partners such as Bayernhof BioTec, Fraunhofer BioCat and Microbify GmbH (pilot to demonstration scale) are systematically integrated to create a unique location for the upscaling of industrial biotechnology in Germany. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Zavrel, Professor of Bioprocess Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, Straubing Campus, personally presented the services offered by the Bio Scale-up Centre, which bridges the gap between laboratory and demonstration scale.
Scale-up Hub at BioCampus: Under this umbrella, multiple stakeholders will pool their expertise and infrastructure to jointly advance the scaling of industrial biotechnology processes from the laboratory to application-oriented scales. Scaling opportunities will be available to SMEs, startups, and research institutions starting in 2027; initial informational meetings are already being held.
The workshop brought together representatives from industry, start-ups, research institutions and business development organisations. During the open discussion, it became clear just how great the interest is in transparent information, reliable and affordable access to infrastructure, and new forms of collaboration.
The online workshop demonstrated how TransBIB, as a knowledge transfer and networking platform, helps to overcome scaling hurdles in industrial biotechnology and bring innovations to market more quickly.