The recently published EU Bioeconomy Strategy signals Europe’s intent to lead in sustainable growth and innovation. While the vision is clear, concrete delivery mechanisms and binding commitments are still missing.
The chemical industry is at the heart of the bioeconomy, and the bioeconomy is core to our industrial transition.
“However, strategy alone is not enough. We need action and implementation. That means: a legal framework for the industrial bioeconomy to create a single market for bio-based products in Europe, and a clear vision for domestic production and imports, including the potential role of Ukraine and other EU partners. Most importantly, that means creating market demand for low-carbon, bio-based and circular products – markets that currently offer no premium for these solutions. Without demand, there is no business case, and we need that business case now,” commented Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General.
The Strategy recognises that the chemical industry will play a central role in enabling Europe’s transition to a sustainable, circular bioeconomy.
It also reflects key industry priorities by focusing on five pillars: scaling innovation and investments, building lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies, ensuring sustainable biomass supply and circularity, harnessing global opportunities, and fostering collaboration and delivery.
Positive steps include:
- Stimulate demand for bio-based chemicals by introducing bio-based content requirements for products placed in the EU single market
- Removing barriers to investment and innovation, including new financial tools for start-ups and scale-ups.
- Supporting public procurement of bio-based solutions with clear criteria.
- Promoting the cascading use of biomass, prioritising sectors where bio-based solutions add the most value.
- Strengthening circularity by encouraging the use of secondary feedstocks and improving data on biomass availability.
- Expanding global partnerships and market access for European bio-based products.
However, the strategy still falls short in several key areas:
- There is still no legislative instrument to create a true Single Market for bio-based products, risking market fragmentation and deterring investment.
- Most actions remain voluntary or reiterate existing policies, with few new incentives to accelerate innovation and deployment.
- The strategy lacks a comprehensive plan to reinforce Europe’s industrial base and ensure supply chain resilience for sustainable biomass.
To achieve a true bioeconomy in Europe, the Strategy must move from ambition to action. Cefic is ready to work with policymakers to create a single market for the bioeconomy.