Biointelligence: Charting the Course for a Biologically-Inspired Industry

Organised by Fraunhofer, the event emphasised how integrating biological principles into engineering and manufacturing can create more sustainable, efficient, and adaptable industrial systems.

Among the highlights was the introduction of the Biointelligence Competence Center, an initiative designed to catalyse Europe’s transition to biologically-inspired industries. Supported by recent EU funding calls, the centre aims to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and foster innovation at the intersection of biology and technology. Several IBISBA members contributed, emphasising the key role research infrastructures play in enabling collaborative advancements in biointelligence.

The congress explored biointelligence’s applications, from biobased materials and energy-efficient processes to scalable healthcare innovations. Speakers highlighted how pilot facilities and shared platforms enable industries to experiment with and adopt biointelligent methods. These initiatives align closely with IBISBA’s focus on fostering collaboration and streamlining the path from research to application.

Biointelligence represents a paradigm shift in industrial value creation. Those who invest in its development will not only lead in innovation but also address critical global challenges, such as sustainability and resource scarcity, in meaningful ways.