Dr Florian Graichen, General Manager for Scionâs Bioproducts and Biomanufacturing Areas and University of Waikato Honorary Professor, is looking to promote hope around climate solutions in his lecture â âThe biggest adventure of humanityâ â saying that we can, and are, innovating a different way forward, a way paved with opportunities and rewards.
Dr Florian Graichen, General Manager for Scionâs Bioproducts and Biomanufacturing Areas and University of Waikato Honorary Professor, is looking to change perspectives on the circular economy.
Dr Graichen wants New Zealanders to grab the âopportunities of a generationâ around climate change mitigation. He explores how we can move with urgency and still benefit from the global transition to a circular bioeconomy and how that transition might assure prosperity and equity for everyone.
Dr Graichen is at the forefront of developing biomaterials and solving related product and process challenges around transitioning to circular systems. He and Professor Kim Pickering co-lead the project Additive manufacturing and 3D and/or 4D printing of bio-composites where theyâre looking at biopolymers and natural fibres to create new materials and products.
Scion is also an industry collaborator with the University of Waikato hosted project Ämiomio Aotearoa. The project brings together mÄtauranga MÄori and western science to move beyond linear extract-produce-use-dispose material to a circular economy. âPartnerships across industry, academia, iwi and government are critical pillars for Scion,â Dr Graichen says.
Looking to cut through the climate despair, Dr Graichen references a number of projects that demonstrate positive disruption including used textiles to reinforce roading, biodegradable vineyard net clips and marine biofuel to support sustainable shipping.
Heâs passionate that New Zealanders step up and grab these transformative opportunities. âA journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step â letâs be brave enough to take this step,â Dr Graichen says.
