Background and aims -- Industrial uses of biotechnology -- Alternative techniques of analysis -- Lessons from the case studies -- Kes issues and conclusions. Case studies. Manufacture of riboflavin (vitamin B2) -- Production of 7-amino-cephalosporanic acid -- Biotechnological production of the antibiotic cephalexin -- Bioprocesses for the manufacture of amino acids -- Manufacture of S-chloropropionic acid -- Enzymatic production of acrylamide -- Enzymatic synthesis of acrylic acid -- Enzyme-catalysed synthesis of polyesters -- Polymers from renewable resources -- A vegetable oil degumming enzyme -- Water recovery in a vegetable-processing company. Removal of bleach residues in textile finishing -- Enzymatic pulp bleaching process -- Use of xylanase as a pulp brightener -- A life cycle assessment of enzyme bleaching of wood pulp -- On-site production of xylanase -- A gypsum-free zinc refinery -- Copper bioleaching technology -- Renewable fuels: ethanol from biomass -- The application of LCA software to bioethanol fuel -- Use of enzymes in oil-well completion. "Biotechnology can help improve the environmental friendliness of industrial activities and lower both capital expenditure and operating costs. It can also help reduce raw material and energy inputs and waste"--Page 4 of cover.