Prof. Wim Soetaert holds a degree in chemical and biochemical engineering and did a PhD in bioengineering at Ghent University. Prof. Wim Soetaert currently heads the Centre of Expertise for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be) at Ghent University, Faculty of BioScience Engineering. His research group of about 15 people is active in the areas of industrial biotechnology, biocatalysis, fermentation science and engineering. www.inbio.be He is the founder and chairman of Flanders Biobased Valley, a public private partnership to promote the development of biobased activities in the Flemish region in Belgium. Since its creation in 2005, Flanders Biobased Valley has quickly grown into one of the main growth centres for the biobased economy in Europe, with over 500 Million euros already invested in the port of Ghent. www.fbbv.be Prof. Wim Soetaert is also the director of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, an open innovation Pilot Plant for biobased products and processes based in Ghent. Within the framework of an Interreg project, over 21 Million euros have been invested in Bio Base Europe. www.bbeu.org Prof. Wim Soetaert is also executive chairman of Inbiose, a spin-off company from Ghent University active in specialty carbohydrates. www.inbiose.be During his earlier career, Wim Soetaert has worked as a research director in Germany and France, for the sugar group Pfeifer & Langen and the wheat processing company Chamtor.