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Belarus’ microbiology exports gain momentum

MINSK, 11 December (BelTA) - The institute’s exports rose by about 20% year-on-year, Director of the Institute of Microbiology at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Aleksandr Shepshelev told the media, BelTA has learned.

“If we compare last year to the year before, the growth is even more impressive, at around 50%. These are significant figures, indicating the demand for our developments. Our major market is the Russian Federation. The export structure consists of two major items. The first is the supply of finished products, specifically silage starter cultures, feed additives, and microbial fertilizers. We also supply enzymes for producing biosensors; although in small quantities. This is a high-tech development used by our colleagues in Skolkovo and a number of other companies in the Russian Federation,” Aleksandr Shepshelev said.

The second major export item is services. “By services, we primarily mean R&D for specific enterprises, including those in the commercial sector. These companies are involved in the production of biopreparations, either starter cultures for the dairy industry, silage starter cultures, microbial fertilizers, or those working in the field of enzymes. Typically, such companies first request us to carry out specific research and development at our facilities. If these companies lack their own production base, we subsequently sign contracts to manufacture these preparations at our facilities for their needs,” the director of the institute said.

The Institute of Microbiology at the National Academy of Sciences is closely integrated into the real sector of the economy and addresses critical tasks for agriculture, environmental protection, and other sectors. The primary mission is the study of microorganisms and the application of this knowledge to solve national economic challenges. This includes modifying the genomes of microorganisms, developing cultivation biotechnologies and microbial selection, and maintaining a priceless collection of microorganisms recognized as a national asset. The institute annually creates two to four new biological developments, which are assimilated into the real sector of the economy.

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