What is the greatest challenge facing humanity today, in the context of Corbion?
The most significant challenge we face today is global warming and its consequences, which is intertwined with the need to feed an ever-growing population sustainably. Corbion's mission is to preserve what matters by replacing synthetic, petroleum-based products with natural alternatives, leveraging biotechnologies like fermentation. This approach directly contributes to combating climate change, embracing the 1.5-degree commitment early on to underscore our belief in making a tangible impact, regardless of our size.
If I were to walk into a typical supermarket, what would Corbion’s influence be?
Corbion's influence is extensive across various supermarket aisles, from confectioneries that appeal to children to essential food items like bread, which we help preserve longer, reducing waste. Our products also enhance functional drinks, stabilize dairy to prevent separation in yogurts, and replace synthetic preservatives in personal care and home cleaning products. Furthermore, our contributions to health through omega-3s from algae and the recyclable , biodegradable bioplastic, PLA, underscore our comprehensive reach, affecting many aspects of daily life.
What are consumers currently demanding from Corbion in terms of sustainability and natural products?
Consumers are increasingly aware of and interested in fermentation, a natural process familiar worldwide through products like cheese, kefir, and soy sauce. This global acceptance makes it easier to introduce sustainable, bio-based solutions. Corbion excels in scaling up the use of microorganisms—from algae to bacteria—to industrial levels, producing ingredients like lactic acid efficiently and sustainably. Our focus on renewable feedstocks over fossil-based materials emphasizes our commitment to a circular, sustainable model that leverages nature's diversity.
Given the current geopolitical environment, how is Corbion diversifying its strategy to mitigate risks and ensure supply chain continuity?
Corbion's strategy involves being strategically located near our natural raw material sources to circumvent geopolitical tensions and ensure competitive and sustainable operations. By establishing a presence on all continents, we achieve flexibility in manufacturing and sourcing, essential for business continuity and cost competitiveness. This approach also prepares us for the impacts of global warming, such as droughts and floods, by building in operational flexibility and ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.
How does Corbion plan its geographical focus and manufacturing footprint to stay close to both the source and the consumer?
Our geographical strategy prioritizes proximity to feedstock for cost and carbon emission reasons, especially for bulk bio-based chemicals. However, for more specialized products, like biomedical polymers for slow-release drug delivery, being closer to the consumer becomes crucial. For example, our investment in a plant near Atlanta, USA, aims to meet the growing health needs of an aging population. This dual approach—close to raw materials for commoditized products and near consumers for specialized items—ensures competitiveness, fast customer service, and supply security.
What are your hopes for ten years time, particularly regarding the challenges of an aging population, overpopulation, and the impacts of global warming?
In the next decade, I envision a global consensus on the cost of carbon emissions, integrating these costs into product pricing. This change is pivotal for acknowledging the true environmental impact of goods and services. For example, Corbion is in the process of launching a groundbreaking circular plant in Thailand that produces lactic acid which will have a negative carbon footprint cradle to gate. This innovation illustrates our commitment to sustainability and our hope that, by 2034, such environmental efforts are recognized and valued within the global marketplace.
Our aim is for the incorporation of carbon costs to drive a significant shift towards bio-based products, thereby reducing reliance on fossil-based materials and combatting the expected surge in plastic production.
The volume of plastic production continues to rise despite global efforts to recycle and reduce usage. This trend contradicts the push for sustainability and highlights the necessity of incorporating a carbon metric to alter production and consumption patterns. Our goal at Corbion is to leverage our expertise in the fermentation and bio-based industry to significantly reduce dependency from fossil carbon feedstocks. Despite current projections, we remain hopeful that by 2030, our efforts, alongside global initiatives, will pivot the world towards more sustainable practices and materials.
Aside from sustainability concerns, what other challenges keep you up at night regarding Corbion?
The primary challenge is accelerating Corbion's impact despite being a smaller entity in a vast industry. Limited resources and the urgent need for environmental action compound this challenge. Additionally, the changing climate, such as the increasing temperature of the Atlantic Ocean, heat waves, droughts and floods seen everywhere around the world , underscore the immediacy of these environmental issues. Our concern extends to influencing regulatory frameworks to favor sustainable solutions over conventional practices, which is often hindered by current regulations.
How do regulatory environments across different regions affect Corbion's operations?
Different regions exhibit varying dynamics regarding sustainability and bio-based industries. For instance, while China and the US are making strides towards embracing bio-based alternatives, Europe's uncertain regulatory landscape poses challenges for companies like Corbion, deterring significant investment in the region. This disparity underscores the need for a more cohesive global regulatory approach to support and accelerate the transition to sustainable industrial practices.
What are Corbion's plans for scaling up its operations in the next three to five years?
Corbion is focused on innovative solutions like microalgae fermentation for Omega-3 production, aimed at improving human nutrition while reducing overfishing, therefore promoting marine biodiversity. With a significant operation in Brazil, we demonstrate the potential for scalable, sustainable alternatives to traditional practices, impacting both environmental and social fronts. Looking ahead, Corbion aims to expand its footprint globally, not only in Omega-3 production but also in for instance biopolymers and biobased solvents, showcasing the broad applicability of our technologies. Partnering with regulators and influencers will be crucial in promoting natural, sustainable solutions to consumers, driving forward our mission to contribute to a more sustainable world.
