In 2006, Andalusia (Spain) and South-East Ireland were selected by the European Commission as model demonstrator regions (MDRs) to lead the way towards a sustainable chemical industry in Europe. ICT-BIOCHAIN arises as a tool to capitalize the development of these regions serving as test-bed locations for the implementation of bio-based Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) focused on biomass mobilization. The main concept of the project is based on three elements:
- Competence Centres: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Fraunhofer Institute of Material Flow and Logistics from Germany and Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde from Scotland
- Regional Facilitators: Institute of Technology Tralee and Technological Corporation of Andalusia
- Regions: Represented by the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation.
The objective of ICT-BIOCHAIN is to identify opportunities for using ICT tools to increase the efficiency of biomass supply chains supporting Europe’s bio-based industry and contributing to several BIC SIRA strategic objectives. ICT-BIOCHAIN brought together leading experts and support networks in order to develop DIHs to examine opportunities for ICT, IoT and Industry 4.0 and it extends this knowledge to other EU bioeconomy regions.
The specific aims of the project and the performed activities were:
1. Establishing multi-actor DIHs for biomass supply chains within the two MDRs. DIHs in both regions were formed following a multi-actor approach including primary producers, bio-based industries, and ICT specialists. Several activities were held: launching, knowledge transfer, demonstration and investment events.
2. Developing region-specific bioresource data models and providing access within the DIHs to stakeholders for a better knowledge, information and technology to promote opportunities for state-of-the-art technologies to be integrated into biomass supply chains. A database with descriptions of 107 examples of technology solutions and two regional bioresource data models were developed.
3. Establishing a user friendly online platform to allow for wider exploitation of ICT, IoT and Industry 4.0 tools and bioresource data for improving the supply chain efficiency, supporting the growth of the EU bioeconomy by facilitating greater availability of competitively priced biomass for sustainable chemical production. Relevant stakeholders in the EU and beyond are able to access these data since April 2020 and at least until May 2022 at
https://ictbiochain.eu/platform/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie).
4. Developing value chain coalitions of multi-actors through knowledge transfer, dissemination and exploitation activities. A programme for regional transference was established from both DIHs with several activities (above-mentioned). These events provided opportunities for stakeholders from various sectors to meet and discuss their interests, to exploit arising opportunities for cooperation and to explore different financing options.
5. Paving the way for replicating DIHs in other EU bioeconomy regions by providing a roadmap training towards replication of DIHs for the bio-based sector in Europe and build networks with other bioeconomy regions. The roadmap was shared during a train-the-trainer workshop and the final public event, both supported by e-learning materials.
As a final remark, it can be concluded that;
• The use of ICT is needed to boost the biomass value chains in the bioeconomy sector for biomass supply chains mobilisation.
• DIH formation as regional structures for the development of the bioeconomy in a sustainable way by cooperation and mobilisation of the main actors at regional level can be replicated in other regions.
• All the work was aligned with EU policies (i.e. Green Deal, CAP),
• Using the prototype platform and the biomass data model can boost long term sustainability.
• Cooperation among all types of stakeholders in the biomass value chains is fundamental for the expansion of the bioeconomy.
