--- title: esib 2026 description: Dr. Sarah Hickingbottom shares FutureBridge perspectives on industrial biotechnology, chemicals and materials strategy, commercialization and scale-up. --- [Skip to content](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/esib-2026#main-content) [![v1-FutureBridge\_Logotype\_White\_RGB-2](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_White_RGB-2.png?width=2680&height=450&name=v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_White_RGB-2.png "v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_White_RGB-2")](https://www.futurebridge.com/food-and-nutrition/?hsLang=en) - [Book a Consumomics™ session](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/consumomics?hsLang=en) # How We Turn Extraordinary Technology Into Ordinary Industry From technical success to commercial reality, what does it take for promising biotechnology to become established industry? At esib 2026 in Graz, Dr. Sarah Hickingbottom, Global Head of Chemicals, Materials & Natural Resources at FutureBridge, will take the stage as a speaker to address the critical questions shaping industrial innovation and what does it take to turn promising technologies into lasting commercial impact.   Drawing on her experience across industry, innovation clusters and European bio-based initiatives, Sarah will explore how investments, customer demand and industrial realities shape the journey from technical success to commercial adoption and what we can learn from both breakthroughs and setbacks.   ![Sarah Hickingbottom](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sarah%20Hickingbottom.jpg?width=790&height=600&name=Sarah%20Hickingbottom.jpg) ## Meet Dr. Sarah Hickingbottom **VP & Practice Head - Chemicals, Materials & Natural Resources** With over 20 years spanning consulting, market intelligence and first-of-a-kind commercialization, Sarah’s focus is in helping clients make commercially sound decisions in markets where published data is patchy, supplier claims are unreliable, and the real challenge is judgement rather than information volume.  She collaborates with senior leadership to define strategic priorities, business goals, and growth objectives.  At esib 2026, she looks forward to connecting with industry leaders and innovators to exchange perspectives on emerging opportunities and future growth. [Connect with me](https://id.futurebridge.com/sarah-hickingbottom?hsLang=en) [Share Your Biggest What-If](https://www.futurebridge.com/contact-us/?hsLang=en) “ > A technology can work brilliantly and still fail to make it to market. The question is how we turn extraordinary technology into ordinary industry. As a speaker at esib 2026, I will be sharing perspectives on what it takes to move beyond technical success and build businesses that deliver lasting commercial value.   ### Explore our perspectives (Style option 1) Getting beyond the pilot raises questions that extend well beyond the technology itself. The resources below bring together FutureBridge perspectives on industrial biotechnology, innovation, scale-up and the commercial realities of bringing new technologies into established industrial systems. Explore the insights, challenges and lessons shaping the journey from technical success to industrial adoption. ![Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Juice_Tactics_Snacks/Thrifty/images/grayscale-mountain.png?width=605&height=451&name=grayscale-mountain.png "Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape") ### Feature one Use text and images to tell your company’s story. Explain what makes your product or service extraordinary. ![Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Juice_Tactics_Snacks/Thrifty/images/grayscale-mountain.png?width=605&height=451&name=grayscale-mountain.png "Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape") ### Feature two Use text and images to tell your company’s story. Explain what makes your product or service extraordinary. ![Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Juice_Tactics_Snacks/Thrifty/images/grayscale-mountain.png?width=605&height=451&name=grayscale-mountain.png "Stock placeholder image with grayscale geometrical mountain landscape") ### Feature three Use text and images to tell your company’s story. Explain what makes your product or service extraordinary. ## More from her desk Drawing on Dr Hickingbottom’s work with senior leadership, industry innovators and European bio-based initiatives, explore her perspectives on turning extraordinary technology into ordinary industry, from the critical decisions shaping investment and market adoption to industrial integration, commercial scale-up and long-term competitiveness. ##### Plant 1 is a biased experiment What the first factory cannot tell us about the second --- - A successful first plant does not guarantee a viable second. An examination of how site-specific advantages, investment economics and early project assumptions can distort scale-up expectations and why industrial replication demands a fundamentally different commercial assessment. --- [Explore Plant 1 lessons](https://www.futurebridge.com/plant-1-is-a-biased-experiment-what-the-first-factory-cannot-tell-us-about-the-second/?hsLang=en) ##### Sacred Pillars When the Ideas that created a business begin to strangle it --- - The commercial realities behind industrial innovation, from investment decisions and market viability to the assumptions that shape business strategy. A critical look at why promising technologies struggle to scale, when established approaches need rethinking and what drives lasting industrial growth. --- [Question your sacred pillars](https://www.futurebridge.com/sacred-pillars-industrial-venture-assumptions/?hsLang=en) ##### Beyond Technology Readiness What is changing in the industrialization ecosystem in 2026? --- - Europe’s bioeconomy is moving beyond technology readiness towards commercial viability. Stronger demand commitments, investment models and industrial collaboration are emerging. The test is whether these initiatives deliver bankable projects, scalable businesses and tangible commercial commitments. --- [Explore what's changing](https://www.futurebridge.com/beyond-technology-readiness-what-is-changing-in-the-industrialisation-ecosystem-in-2026/?hsLang=en) ## Selected initiatives and further reading These links lead to the organisations and programme material underpinning the examples discussed. ### European initiatives   - [European Commission — EU Bioeconomy Strategy](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/bioeconomy-strategy_en) - [Bio-based Europe Alliance](https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/green-business/bio-based-europe-alliance_en) - [Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group — CBE JU](https://www.cbe.europa.eu/bioeconomy-investment-deployment-group) - [European Commission — Industrial Accelerator Act](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/industrial-accelerator-act_en) - [Cefic — European Market Mobilisation Plan](https://cefic.org/resources/cefic-white-paper-european-market-mobilisation-plan/) - [ReSolute flagship project — CBE JU](https://www.cbe.europa.eu/projects/resolute) ### National and industry-led examples   - [France 2030 — Première Usine](https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/la-dge/actualites/france-2030-13-nouveaux-laureats-pour-le-dispositif-premiere-usine) - [Germany — Industrial Bioeconomy programme](https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/DE/Dossier/industrielle-biooekonomie.html) - [Bioeconomy Austria](https://www.bmluk.gv.at/en/topics/climate-environment/sustainable-development/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-austria.html) - [acib / European Summit of Industrial Biotechnology](https://www.esib.at/) - [Netherlands — National Approach to Bio-based Building](https://www.volkshuisvestingnederland.nl/onderwerpen/verduurzamen-en-verbeteren/circulair-en-industrieel-bouwen/biobased-bouwen) - [Innovate UK — Advance Market Commitments](https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/advance-market-commitments/) - [Global Impact Coalition — Projects](https://globalimpactcoalition.com/our-projects/) - [Innovate UK — ICURe](https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/icure/) ## Continue the conversation What helps extraordinary technology become ordinary industry and where does that transition break down? Connect with Dr. Sarah Hickingbottom to continue the discussion around industrial biotechnology, commercialization and the realities of industrial adoption. [Schedule a meeting \>](https://www.futurebridge.com/contact-us/?hsLang=en) [![v1-FutureBridge\_Logotype\_Black\_RGB](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_Black_RGB.png?width=147&height=25&name=v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_Black_RGB.png "v1-FutureBridge_Logotype_Black_RGB")](https://consulting.futurebridge.com/?hsLang=en) FutureBridge tracks and advises on the future of industries from a 1-to-25 year perspective. --- - Terms and Services - Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026. FutureBridge. All Rights Reserved. [Follow us on Facebook](https://twitter.com/TheFutureBridge) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurebridge180920/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.youtube.com/@thefuturebridge)