Engineering biology to disrupt UK industries – Capgemini report
A new report from Capgemini has shed light on the disruptive potential of engineering biology across various industries. The study indicates that the reach of engineering biology extends far beyond traditional sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, and consumer goods, diving into diversified fields like fashion, mining, automotive, and aerospace and defence. This comprehensive analysis gathered insights from 1,100 global executives, focusing particularly on the UK.
Within the UK, the findings revealed a strong belief in the transformative power of engineering biology. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents expect biosolutions to disrupt their industries within the next five years, while a slightly larger segment (51%) anticipates such disruption within the next five to ten years. Furthermore, a significant 97% of organisations are already pursuing biosolutions, with 51% engaging in active experimentation, pilots, or scaled deployments. This highlights a robust trend towards integrating these innovative solutions within their operations.
The report also uncovered that two-thirds of surveyed executives (67%) believe that sustainable materials developed through engineered biology could have a high positive impact on their industries. A significant majority (84%) also hold the view that biosolutions could play a pivotal role in addressing climate change. Additional findings suggest that almost three-quarters (73%) of the executives see technologies such as AI, digital twins, robotics, and sensors as crucial in reducing the costs of developing and scaling biosolutions. With nearly 87% agreeing that AI will be instrumental in accelerating the adoption of these solutions, the intersection of biological and digital technologies appears to be a major area of focus.
The report, titled "Engineering Biology: The Time is Now," identified several drivers of corporate interest in biosolutions. Over 70% of organisations expect biosolutions to significantly advance their sustainability goals. Cost and performance advantages are also highlighted as contributing factors. Roshan Gya, CEO of Capgemini Invent, stated, "The bioeconomy is at a pivotal moment with the promise of limitless opportunities for organisations, and business leaders are taking notice. Biosolutions are already making truly groundbreaking innovations possible with a direct impact on numerous aspects of our daily lives." Gya further noted the potential of biosolutions in various applications including the development of organisms that capture CO2, microbes for water purification, and next-generation medicines targeting specific DNA profiles.
The research also addressed several challenges to the widespread adoption of biosolutions. High costs, lack of suitable large-scale infrastructure, and talent shortages were cited as primary barriers. The complexities involved in reconfiguring supply chains and evolving regulations also pose significant hurdles. Almost two-thirds of engineering biology startups (65%) reported that a lack of bio-literacy hinders their ability to scale up biosolutions, emphasising the need for enhanced expertise in the field.
Digital and engineering technologies were identified as essential for overcoming these barriers. AI was particularly noted, with 98% of organisations either using or planning to use AI to improve the efficiency of R&D processes. Robotics and digital twins were also highlighted for their roles in automating processes and predicting production outcomes, though their adoption rates remain lower than that of AI.
In response to these findings, Capgemini has invested in an AI-driven biotechnology lab at its UK headquarters. This facility aims to address client challenges and accelerate innovation in the bioeconomy, combining advanced science, AI, and engineering expertise to reduce costs and expedite time-to-market for organisations.
To drive the adoption of biosolutions, the report suggests organisations will need to develop informed strategies, raise public awareness, consider sustainability impacts, and incorporate circularity principles. Operating within a clear and progressive regulatory framework for the bioeconomy will be essential for realising the potential of engineering biology.
