The European Commission has officially adopted the new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, setting a clear pathway to accelerate Europe’s transition toward a cleaner, more resilient and decarbonised circular economy.

Building on the 2012 Bioeconomy Strategy and its subsequent 2018 and 2022 reviews, the new Framework shifts the spotlight to industrial uptake, market expansion, competitiveness, and long-term resilience.

The updated Strategy builds on the EU’s strong scientific and industrial base to scale up bio-based innovations, reduce dependence on fossil resources, and unlock the full potential of Europe’s biological assets from land and sea. Today, the EU bioeconomy is already valued at €2.7 trillion (in 2023) and employs over 17 million people (around 8% of EU jobs), yet significant untapped potential remains.

Key priorities of the new Strategy include:

• Scaling up innovation and investment to bring bio-based technologies from labs to market, supported by clearer and faster regulatory pathways.

• Developing lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies such as bioplastics, sustainable textiles, advanced fermentation, bio-based chemicals, and construction materials. The Strategy proposes to set up a Bio-based Europe Alliance, which will be gathering EU companies to collectively purchase bio-based solutions worth €10 billion by 2030.

• Ensuring sustainable biomass use, and promoting circularity and enhancing the value of secondary biomass, with initiaves for farmers and foresters to safeguard soils, biodiversity, carbon sinks and water resources.

• Strengthening Europe’s global position, reducing strategic dependencies, and opening new market opportunities for sustainable bio-based solutions.

Read the full EU Bioeconomy Strategy here!