EU Bioeconomy Strategy

Launched and adopted in 2012, Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy addresses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into vital products and bio-energy. The strategy is needed to ensure that fossil resources are replaced with sustainable natural alternatives as part of the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. Its main purpose is to streamline existing policy approaches in this area.

Initiated by the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015, the Bioeconomy Strategy is currently under review, which will provide a good opportunity for new political momentum and orientation.

European Bioplastics (EUBP), as part of the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA), an informal alliance of 12 leading European organisations representing sectors active in the bioeconomy in Europe, has formulated specific policy asks for the revision of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy to help stimulate the bioeconomy in Europe.

Sustainably, efficiently and competitively produced and recycled biomass from the agricultural, forestry and marine sectors, and from waste sources can contribute significantly to Europe’s climate commitments as well as to socio‐economic targets, such as creating more jobs, growth and viable rural areas. It can also help reducing Europe’s dependence on imports while increasing the security of supply. In addition, it can enhance biodiversity through sustainable management of land and resources.

Yet, the bioeconomy can only come to its full potential if new technologies are developed to overcome bottlenecks and make biomass production an