Case Studies

BIOTRANSFORM works directly in 6 case-study regions that represent different bioeconomies

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The six case-study regions, from different EU countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, and Spain), were selected because they represent different examples of a biotransformation challenge (e.g. forestry, tourism, agri-food). By analysing these specific regional cases, BIOTRANSFORM proposes transformation pathways, validated via the assessment package, that provide policy-makers with an adequate assessment and development framework, knowledge base, and expert support ecosystems to accelerate similar transitions in the EU.

SPAIN

Andalusia

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Main bioeconomy topics

tourism, retail, transportation, underdeveloped industry, agriculture, olive, citrus, tomato

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

biomass valorisation, sustainable intensification of land use, agroforestry, bioengineering for water guidance & storage, wastewater reuse & greening

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

raise awareness about agroecology in>3 farmer associations/cooperatives, plan >3 innovative bio-products for farmers, identify >3 potential water reuse projects

Relevance for Europe

4,6 million ha olive orchards in EU, tourism is the third-largest socio-economic

Austria

Northern Burgenland

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Main bioeconomy topics

vineyards, vegetation & sludge from lake, agribusinesses

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

extractions of vine biomass, wine processing upgrades, sustainable intensification of land use, mud & lake vegetation utilisation

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

>+10% additional income through multiple valorisation pathways of vine residues, muds & lake vegetation, potential >+500 jobs

Relevance for Europe

~3M ha vineyards in EU, ~500,000 lakes in Europe larger than 1ha

Greece

Western Macedonia

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Main bioeconomy topics

decarbonisation of energy production, agriculture, mining, fur & leather

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

symbiosis between resource flows, agricultural efficiency innovations, naturally treated wastewater for irrigation, natural leather tanning, wholistic use of animal residues

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

involvement of 20 farmers/foresters and >2 farmer/forester associations, technology transfer with >5 local companies (leather, fur, agriculture, forestry, food), >5 regreening plans through constructed wetlands and/or remediation of former mining areas

Relevance for Europe

transition strategies for coal fire plants in Europe (~18% of energy production), leather & fur production in EU worth more than €21B

Finland

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Main bioeconomy topics

forestry, chemical production

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

higher valorisation of forestry residues & by-products, conversion to bio-commodities, agroecology, nutrient loops

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

forest value enhanced (+10% potential turnover), >2 residues utilisation & >1 nutrient recovery projects planned, >3 products

Relevance for Europe

43% of EU is covered in forests, very high dependency

Czech Republic

Charles Spa Region

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Main bioeconomy topics

hot springs & associated spa, tourism, beverages & food production

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

sustainable & zero waste tourism with recovery and reuse of nutrients for food, natural extracts for beverages

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

involvement of >50 actors (tourism, beverage, organic waste, etc.), zero-waste strategies for hotels, co-development of >3 local innovative bio-products

Relevance for Europe

>37,000 spa facilities in EU >€33B market size, sustainable tourism strategies well replicable

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

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Main bioeconomy topics of the region

strong chemical industry, transformation of lignite mining area to bioeconomy region, feedstock potential of maize & beets, manure, biogas

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

production of bio-based intermediates (esp. from secondary resources) and specialties for the chemical industry, biological transformation of the industry, agroecology, waste valorisation

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

BIOTRANSFORM aims to develop innovative pathways to potentially produce high-volume biochemicals from secondary biomass, identification of high value leading products, connect urban & rural areas to generate sustainable resources for the bioeconomy.

Relevance for Europe

securing sustainable bio-based resources, innovation potential for the chemical industry worth more than € 125B in EU, example for other high-industry regions

SPAIN

Andalusia

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Main bioeconomy topics

tourism, retail, transportation, underdeveloped industry, agriculture, olive, citrus, tomato

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

biomass valorisation, sustainable intensification of land use, agroforestry, bioengineering for water guidance & storage, wastewater reuse & greening

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

raise awareness about agroecology in>3 farmer associations/cooperatives, plan >3 innovative bio-products for farmers, identify >3 potential water reuse projects

Relevance for Europe

4,6 million ha olive orchards in EU, tourism is the third-largest socio-economic

Austria

Northern Burgenland

Image

Main bioeconomy topics

vineyards, vegetation & sludge from lake, agribusinesses

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

extractions of vine biomass, wine processing upgrades, sustainable intensification of land use, mud & lake vegetation utilisation

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

>+10% additional income through multiple valorisation pathways of vine residues, muds & lake vegetation, potential >+500 jobs

Relevance for Europe

~3M ha vineyards in EU, ~500,000 lakes in Europe larger than 1ha

Greece

Western Macedonia

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Main bioeconomy topics

decarbonisation of energy production, agriculture, mining, fur & leather

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

symbiosis between resource flows, agricultural efficiency innovations, naturally treated wastewater for irrigation, natural leather tanning, wholistic use of animal residues

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

involvement of 20 farmers/foresters and >2 farmer/forester associations, technology transfer with >5 local companies (leather, fur, agriculture, forestry, food), >5 regreening plans through constructed wetlands and/or remediation of former mining areas

Relevance for Europe

transition strategies for coal fire plants in Europe (~18% of energy production), leather & fur production in EU worth more than €21B

Finland

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Main bioeconomy topics

forestry, chemical production

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

higher valorisation of forestry residues & by-products, conversion to bio-commodities, agroecology, nutrient loops

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

forest value enhanced (+10% potential turnover), >2 residues utilisation & >1 nutrient recovery projects planned, >3 products

Relevance for Europe

43% of EU is covered in forests, very high dependency

Czech Republic

Charles Spa Region

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Main bioeconomy topics

hot springs & associated spa, tourism, beverages & food production

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

sustainable & zero waste tourism with recovery and reuse of nutrients for food, natural extracts for beverages

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

involvement of >50 actors (tourism, beverage, organic waste, etc.), zero-waste strategies for hotels, co-development of >3 local innovative bio-products

Relevance for Europe

>37,000 spa facilities in EU >€33B market size, sustainable tourism strategies well replicable

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

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Main bioeconomy topics of the region

strong chemical industry, transformation of lignite mining area to bioeconomy region, feedstock potential of maize & beets, manure, biogas

Potential circular bioeconomy innovations

production of bio-based intermediates (esp. from secondary resources) and specialties for the chemical industry, biological transformation of the industry, agroecology, waste valorisation

Measurable success and potential impact for regions

BIOTRANSFORM aims to develop innovative pathways to potentially produce high-volume biochemicals from secondary biomass, identification of high value leading products, connect urban & rural areas to generate sustainable resources for the bioeconomy.

Relevance for Europe

securing sustainable bio-based resources, innovation potential for the chemical industry worth more than € 125B in EU, example for other high-industry regions
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Funded by the European Union under GA no.101081833. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The granting authority cannot be held responsible for them
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