(Translated with Mistral AI without further editing)

At the BioCampus MultiPilot facility in Straubing, a groundbreaking demonstration plant for industrial biotechnology is being created, bridging research and practice. In this interview, the new Managing Director of BioCampus explains how the project strengthens regional bioeconomy, which strategic milestones are to be achieved by 2027, and why the facility can become a central hub for sustainable innovation. A conversation about visions, value creation, and the future of the bio-based economy.

BioCampus Straubing is currently working on the construction of the BioCampus MultiPilot facility, a multipurpose demonstration plant for industrial biotechnology. What progress do you currently see in this project, and what strategic milestones have you set for yourself as Managing Director?

The construction of the BioCampus MultiPilot is not just an ordinary building project for us; it fills a critical gap in the local industrial bioeconomy. We are currently making very good progress. The outer structure of the facility is already in place, and the first main apparatuses have been positioned in the steel construction. Now, we are entering the phase of detailed assembly for the remaining apparatuses, piping, and wiring. At the same time, we are already preparing for commissioning and the first concrete customer projects.

My top priority is the timely completion of the facility by early 2027 and the successful start of operations in the same year.

My strategic goal is to establish BioCampus Straubing, through the MultiPilot facility, as the central European hub for industrial biotechnology. We aim to integrate our excellent infrastructure so deeply into the regional network that we become the undisputed first point of contact for partners and customers from industry and research when it comes to scaling and demonstrating sustainable innovations.

How do you assess the significance of this facility for the development of industrial bioeconomy in Straubing and beyond? Do you see it as a concrete lever for regional value creation, new jobs, or international cooperation?

The BioCampus MultiPilot facility is the decisive missing link to bridge the gap between excellent research and industrial application. With its flexible multipurpose approach, it has all the prerequisites of an effective scaling and demonstration hub. Our goal is to position the Free State of Bavaria, through the Straubing location, even more prominently on the map of industrial biotechnology, with far-reaching impact beyond the region.

However, the facility is not an end in itself. What is particularly important to me is tangible regional value creation. We are creating an environment where companies can not only test but also put down roots. This ranges from using our laboratories in the Technology and Startup Center Straubing to the establishment of demonstration plants and close synergies with TUM Campus Straubing and Fraunhofer IGB BioCat. We ourselves are creating high-quality jobs within the facility. Ultimately, my ambition is to measure the success of the MultiPilot facility by concrete results—for our customers, local partners, and the economic development of the region. This is what my team and I will work toward.

Industry and science are currently engaged in intensive discussions about the transformation toward a bio-based economy. How do you, as the new head of BioCampus, intend to contribute—particularly in terms of the growth of existing companies, the promotion of startups, or innovation networks? How do you view the current developments within this transformation?

The industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation that extends far beyond the bioeconomic shift. But one thing is clear to me: Industrial biotechnology has immense potential to shape this transformation in a positive and sustainable way.

However, innovation alone is not enough for a successful transformation; economic viability and techno-economic reliability are decisive. This is where we come in. We see ourselves as the central point of contact for companies of all sizes—from agile startups to established corporations. Our goal is to support biotechnological solutions from the initial idea to market-ready application.

With the BioCampus MultiPilot facility, we want to remove operational hurdles for those who dare to take the step into industrial implementation. We provide the infrastructure to validate processes and secure the market entry of new products. In this way, we actively contribute to ensuring that the transformation does not remain just a vision but becomes an economic success at this location.

You have recently been appointed Managing Director; what new impulses or strategic directions do you want to set for BioCampus Straubing? Are there any special initiatives, partnerships, or target markets you aim to strengthen in the coming years?

With my industrial background, I bring a practical perspective that I will specifically use for the successful commissioning of our facility and the expansion of strategic partnerships. I am firmly convinced that innovation is the engine for sustainable value creation.

A central impulse will be to align cooperations and innovation networks with their concrete benefits. Every activity we undertake must deliver clear added value—primarily for our customers, but also for the city of Straubing, the region, and the Free State of Bavaria as the main supporters of the BioCampus MultiPilot.

Regarding target markets, we consistently orient ourselves to the needs of our customers. Our ambition is to convince from the outset through high process flexibility and broad expertise, enabling us to respond agilely to market movements and individual customer requirements. In this way, we are developing BioCampus Straubing into a reliable partner for industrial biotechnology.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

I am impressed by the support from politics and our partner network that I have experienced in my first weeks here—such commitment is by no means a given. The Free State of Bavaria is investing heavily in the future of industrial bioeconomy. All partners are fully committed. Our task now is to consistently continue on this path and establish BioCampus as a central building block for success.

To achieve this, we have a competent and highly motivated team on board, which we will further strengthen in the near future. We look forward to the upcoming challenges and are ready to make our contribution to the sustainable transformation of industry.mmenden Aufgaben und sind bereit, unseren Beitrag zur nachhaltigen Transformation der Industrie zu leisten.

About Peter Dettelmann:

Peter Dettelmann studied process engineering at RWTH Aachen University and held numerous leadership positions in the chemical industry, including as site manager, head of the Site Management business unit at Evonik Industries AG, and managing director of Evonik Superabsorber GmbH, where he strategically supported the company’s sale. He also successfully managed the integration of the company under its new owner. Since December 2025, he has been the full-time managing director of BioCampus Straubing GmbH. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, his current focus is on the successful commissioning of the BioCampus MultiPilot in 2027, a multipurpose demonstration facility funded by the Free State of Bavaria with €80 million for demonstrating and scaling processes in industrial biotechnology.