Europe’s $4.7 billion biobased industries Initiative: The 5-Minute Guide

Research organizations and universities that have expressed interest and support

Aalborg University; Ainia, Technologial Centre; AitiipAscamm; Aula Dei Spain; Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB); Cartif Technology Centre; Cener; Centre Technique du Papier; Cetenma; Cidaut; Ciemat; CIRCE; CSIC; ENEA; Forschungszentrum Jülich; Fraunhofer; IdealFood; IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES; Inbiotec; INIA; Innovhub SSI; Innventia; INRA; IRTA; Itacyl; James Hutton Institute; KTH; Leitat; Materia Nova; Metla, Finnish Forest Research Institute; Polish Academy of Sciences; PTS; SINTEF; SP; Swerea; Tecnalia; Tekniker; TNO; TU Delft; TU Munich; Univeristy of Vigo; Universidad Politecnica de Madrid; Università di Bologna; University of Barcelona; University of Freiburg; University of Girona, Lequia; University of Hohenheim; University of Kaiserslautern; University of Léon; University of Lleida; University of Naples “Federico II”; University of OULU; University of Valladolid; University of Zaragoza; Vito; VTT; and WageningenUR

Fact Sheet on the Bio-based industries Initiative

A 2-page summary fact sheet is here.

Detailed Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda

A 48-page summary fact sheet is here.

Reaction from the players

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, said: “The EU must remain a leader in strategic global technology sectors that provide high quality jobs. This innovation investment package combines public and private funding to do just that. This is a perfect demonstration of the leverage effect of the EU budget for growth and jobs.”

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science commented: “The emerging bio-based industry sector is set be the game-changer for stimulating smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe. By finding commercially viable ways of generating fuel and other products from plants and waste, it will significantly reduce our dependency on oil, help us meet climate change targets, and lead to greener and more environmentally friendly growth. Europe must develop technology leadership in this sector, which is why the EU and industry are backing this new Joint Technology Initiative.”

Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi said: “This is a unique partnership that places sustainability at the heart of all economic, social and industrial activities. It is about realising the untapped potential of biomass and waste, to deliver sustainable growth in Europe.”

Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO of Novozymes added: “The Biobased Industries PPP is important for Europe to remain competitive in the global bioeconomy race. It is an opportunity for re-industrialisation and for reversing the investment trend currently going to other regions of the world.”

Guy Talbourdet, CEO of Roquette Frères commented: “The Biobased Industries Initiative comes at a critical time for European development of the bioeconomy. Such a PPP will accelerate the market entry of new biobased products “made in Europe” in the so-called biorefineries. The use of locally grown biomass will not only enable growth and jobs in rural areas across European regions, but it will also reduce the EU’s reliance on fossil or proteins imports.”

Feike Sijbesma, CEO of Royal DSM stated: “This is the start of a promising future for Europe. The development of biobased industries at the crossroads of agriculture, chemistry and energy will enable new value chains and translate the R&D potential into new, innovative and sustainable biobased products and markets serving society.