Biomaterials Overview For centuries, mankind relied on plants as major sources of shelter, tools, energy and clothing. In recent times there has been a rapid trend towards modern and flexible alternatives, with an escalating demand for more sophisticated materials. These materials are synonymous with wealth, status, and comfort, so the demand is insatiable. Steel and concrete were among the first manufactured materials to substitute for natural materials such as wood, earth and brick. More recently aluminium and a growing range of oil derivatives have flooded onto the market, penetrating into a wide spectrum of consumer materials. The advent of peak oil will result in a scarcity of raw materials and an escalation of prices of both oil-based materials and the energy required to fabricate materials such as aluminium and steel. There is an urgent need to find substitute materials if we are to sustain our standard of living. The only obvious source is plants and in particular from wood. Rotorua has a long history with this raw material, as well as a plentiful supply. The raw material resource is complemented by the location of Scion in the district. Scion has shifted its business to focus on the implementation of a biomaterials economy. Workshop summary BrightEconomy Board chairperson Bryce Heard led the workshop. He pointed out that bio-materials are already a major and growing industry in North America and Europe. Forests are the oil wells of the future. Russell Burton, of Scion, showed examples of bio-material products, using natural resins to make mouldable substances. Examples included substances made from wood, bark and harakeke – “harakeke fibres have fantastic properties”. Workshop participants discussed how to focus on starting to commercialise bio-material products, the barriers to commercialisation, and how to deal with the barriers. Much of the discussion centred on building links and relationships between scientists and entrepreneurs. To download bio-materials workshop details, click below Forum - Biomaterials notes  Forum Bio-materials Presentation  The way forward The Board is working to develop a business case by December 2006 for an Innovative Materials Centre in Rotorua that would work with investors to take new products through to commercialisation. The Centre could gain seed funding of up to $2 million from NZ Trade & Industry’s Major Regional Initiatives Fund, supported by matching funds from industry.