Coronavirus Responses & Impacts Bioeconomy Survey Results – March 2020

Notes

What stands out here is social distancing, reduced travel, and telecommuting. Which is to say, a change in workstyle but not as much in work structure. We do see a moderate amount of emphasis on reduction in operations and office closings. 

We don’t yet see a major shift in employment, but enough to be worrisome. If you add the figures together, 14 percent have taken action already to reduce workforce intensity, but it;’s mostly paid leave at present. Watch out for those (will take in the next 30 days” numbers for layoffs, and unpaid leave. Winter is coming.

Surprisingly, not as much emphasis on shifting product plans to meet new needs — despite the bioeconomy’s role in producing vaccines, therapeutics, sanitizers, cleansers and so forth, So far, it looks like those focused on those roles in the bioeconomy will continue to do so, and those focused on producing everyday fuels, chemicals, materials and new foods will continue with their own plans. In short, don’t expect a wholesale shift to producing hand sanitizer at ethanol plants, just yet.