Are you a policy expert with knowledge and experiences in plastics, construction, textile, or chemical sectors? Then, don’t miss the series of workshops “From Vision to Implementation: Shaping Policies to Boost Circular Bio-Based Transition” organised by SUSTRACK!

These workshops aim to:

• Gain insights from keynote speakers outlining the transition challenge, the policy landscape and visions for the transition of the chemical, textile, plastics and construction sectors;
• Explore policy options identified by the SUSTRACK project that may be considered to boost the circular bio-based economy transition in the different sectors;
• Collaboratively identify the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed policy options, as well as discuss further possible policy opportunities/approaches.

The workshop series will conclude with the online “IMPLEMENT Conference” on 21 March 2025, 11:00–12:30 CET, which will provide actionable knowledge and policy recommendations for fostering the transition to a circular bio-based economy.

The workshops will be held online between February and March 2025:

• CHEMICAL sector: 27th of February 2025; 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• TEXTILE sector: 28th of February 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• PLASTICS sector: 5th of March 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• CONSTRUCTION sector: 6th of March 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda

You’re welcome to join one or more workshops—simply register here and choose your preferred sessions.

Each workshop will include:

• Key note speeches to introduce the policy landscape, transformation status and challenges towards the transition to circular bio-based economy in the four sectors;
• Presentation of SUSTRACK approach to identify policy options and outline the selected policies in more detail.
• An interactive session, where participants will then be able to discuss the policy options, suggest alternative policies and share insights on implementing the policies and subsequent effects on the sectors.

This is your chance to share your vision and influence the development and implementation of policies that promote the circular bio-based transition.

Interested? Register now to one or more workshops and mark your calendars to join the series!

Are you a key expert in the textile sector – from research, industry, policy or civil society – involved in the implementation of Digital Product Passport (DPP)? Then, this is a must-attend event!

The “Beyond SUSTRACK co-creation workshop” will be held online on 2^nd of October 2024, 11:00 – 12:00 CEST and will dive into how the DPP can drive the transition to a Circular Bio-based Economy (CBBE) in the textile industry.

Why Attend?

• Discover the barriers identified within the Mission-oriented Innovation System (MIS) framework and explore how the DPP can unlock new opportunities in the textile sector;
• Collaborate with other experts to validate and expand on these DPP opportunities, mapping them to key MIS functions;
• Contribute your insights to a collaborative dialogue shaping the future of a more sustainable, circular textile economy.

Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this groundbreaking discussion! Check out the preliminary agenda, save the date and register here! 

Are you an expert from research, industry, policy or civil society, with knowledge and experiences in plastics, construction, textile, or chemical sectors? Then, you shouldn’t miss the series of workshops “Pathway to DESIGN the circular bio-based transition” organised by SUSTRACK!

These workshops are aimed to:

• Dive deep into the policy, environmental, societal, and economic dimensions of the transition from a linear fossil-based economy to a circular bio-based one;
• Co-create tailored policy recommendations, paving the way for future policy developments at regional, national and European level.

The “Pathway to DESIGN the circular bio-based transition” workshop series will culminate in the online “DESIGN conference”, foreseen in September 2024 and aimed at transforming the workshops’ outcomes into policy recommendations for industrial and political stakeholders to support the transition towards a circular bio-based economy.

The series of events will be held online in the first two weeks of July:

• CHEMICAL sector: 4th of July 2024; 10:00 – 11:30 CEST – Agenda
• CONSTRUCTION sector: 10th of July 2024, 10:00 – 12:00 CEST – Agenda
• TEXTILE sector: 11th of July 2024, 10:00 – 12:00 CEST – Agenda
• PLASTICS sector: 12th of July 2024, 10:00 – 11:30 CEST – Agenda

You can participate in one or more workshops: all you need to do is register here and select your preference.

Each workshop will be organised in different sessions:

• Overview by SUSTRACK of selected sectorial value chains, providing process description, market information, and relevant policy instruments as a starting point for the debate and presentation of inspirational case studies by the voices of invited experts, who will share their perspectives, good practices and challenges/barriers they are facing in the transition towards circular bio-based economy:
  • CHEMICAL sector case studies: Methanol from waste, Bio-MEG from forest and agricultural resources
  • CONSTRUCTION sector case studies: Cross-laminated timber, Biochar as an additive in concrete, Hemp insulation
  • TEXTILE sector case studies: Wool, Man-made cellulosic fibres (e.g., Lyocell)
  • PLASTICS sector case studies: Polylactic acid, Polypropylene from used cooking oil
• Interactive session to discuss the policy, environmental and societal, economic dimensions of the transition towards circular bio-based economy in the case studies’ value chains and in the sectors.

Don’t miss the opportunity to share your vision, make your voice heard and to be inspired in your journey towards sustainable transition.

Interested? Register here to one or more workshops and save the dates to join us!

The Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy has just published the report Exploring Foresight Scenarios for the EU Bioeconomy, based on the analysis of the insights gathered during the multistakeholder Scenario Exploration System workshops held between 2022 and 2023.

The exercise resulted in policy recommendations for a sustainable bioeconomy that could contribute to the update of the EU bioeconomy strategy, to be developed during 2024.

The policy recommendations include

• a consistent policy framework
• cross-stakeholder collaboration
• local engagement
• involvement of consumers in decision-making, and
• learning and development opportunities.

Discover more and download the publication here!

Other useful links:

• News item about the report
• Future transitions for the Bioeconomy towards Sustainable Development and a Climate-Neutral Economy – Foresight Scenarios for the EU bioeconomy in 2050  https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC123532
• EU bioeconomy strategy  https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-strategy_en
• The European Commission Competence Centre on Foresight

Are you an expert of circular bio-based economy, working in construction, plastics, chemicals or textile sectors? Then, you are the one we are looking for!

Circular bio-based economy is currently a hot topic for research, industries and policy makers. SUSTRACK is reaching out to experts in this field to understand the different perspectives on it and to request invaluable insights and expertise.

If you would like to support SUSTRACK work, you can give your contribution in the short and anonymous survey  we’re conducting, developed by BAM partner, to complement our research in identifying barriers hindering this transition. Your voice is essential and it would be key to SUSTRACK future activities and to shape the future of circular bio-based economy!

Here are some key points about the survey:

• Flexibility: You can save and edit your responses any time before submission.
• Short Time Commitment: The survey will take approximately 25 minutes of your time.
• Impact: Your participation will directly nurture a set of guidelines and recommendations which will be shared at the European level with relevant stakeholders and policymakers, influencing future policy development to support the circular bio-based economy transition.
• Deadline: December 17, 2023.

What are you waiting for? Let’s pave the way to a more sustainable and resilient economy, together!