Accelerating progress in Europe’s bioeconomy
Among the challenges to boosting uptake of bioeconomy innovation are the segregated nature of individual bio-based sectors and the food system, together with disaggregated policy instruments and actions scattered across ministries and geographical locations. The EU-funded ShapingBio(opens in new window) project set out to deepen understanding of the current state of the bioeconomy innovation ecosystem with stakeholder engagement(opens in new window) throughout the process. This knowledge was used to develop guidelines and recommendations supporting cross-sectoral cooperation and the harmonisation and efficiency of policies across regions, domains and governance levels.
Strategic approach to the bioeconomy
ShapingBio conducted a comprehensive mapping and analysis of initiatives, structures, policy instruments and gaps across EU macro-regions, Member States and sectors. Overall, the process showed that many Member States and regions have taken significant steps – in varying phases of implementation – to establish a strategic approach to the bioeconomy. However, variations were found in their approach to achieving a more comprehensive and integrated bioeconomy policy framework. Member States differ, for example, in which ministries are involved and the coordinating mechanisms between them. Given the cross-sectoral, transformative character and strategic importance of the bioeconomy, it was also found that negotiations between actors are key to effective coordination and governance of diverse initiatives.
Bioeconomy innovation and technology transfer
“There are significant differences between the Member States in terms of bioeconomy R&D programmes and activities, patenting, scale-up facilities and industrial development,” notes project coordinator Sven Wydra of the Fraunhofer Society for the Advancement of Applied Research(opens in new window). He believes central and eastern European countries have high untapped potential – among others increased collaboration with countries at more advanced stages would be useful. Moreover, the bioeconomy is highly heterogeneous across Member States, which is a strength but also a challenge that must be considered more in policy and debates aimed at accelerating the adoption of bioeconomy innovation. Each country’s bioeconomy state of play can be found on the ShapingBio country fact sheets(opens in new window). Wydra underscores that the success of the bioeconomy depends on how well different stakeholders get involved along the whole value chain: “Collaborative structures such as clusters, hubs and platforms are very important intermediaries and boost knowledge exchange.” Transitioning from the lab and pilots to industrial scale is a critical step along the innovation chain and often faces technological hurdles as well as challenges with the diversity of biomass characteristics. “State-of-the-art pilot and demonstration infrastructures and further financial support of innovators across Europe are essential,” Wydra stresses.
Access to finance and collaboration
All Member States have funding programmes that may be used for bioeconomy projects. Wydra says these programmes are usually open to many research topics, but may not be “well-suited to the needs of the bioeconomy actors and potential continuity of their development activities at more mature stages”. Improved access to public funding for companies – fewer administrative burdens and more easily found programmes – and measures to de-risk private investment(opens in new window) are future steps to be taken. “Collaboration with a greater diversity of represented stakeholder groups along the bioeconomy value chains is as important as the research and industrial activities. Only in this way can we overcome ‘silos’ in sectoral activities, policy fields or geographically, and better align the services provided by collaborative platforms with the rapidly evolving needs of their members,” Wydra concludes. ShapingBio’s analyses and other outcomes(opens in new window) can be found on the project website.
