BIOECONOMY GIANTS

FosterinG collaboratIon among primAry producers and beyoNd to promoTe Sustainable growth

Project details

Type of project
Coordination and Support Action
Project focus
Market, policies & awareness
Project period
1 June 2025 - 30 November 2027
Status
Upcoming
CBE JU Contribution
€ 3 999 466,25
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

Summary

The European Union has set ambitious climate goals on climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Biomass has the potential to play a key role in this transition, yet 98% of available biomass in Europe is currently either landfilled, incinerated, or left to decompose. The bio-based economy sector also faces significant challenges, including a lack of collaboration across the bioeconomy, skills shortages in the primary production sector, and limited funding to scale up production.

BIOECONOMY GIANTS aims to address these challenges by helping farmers, foresters, and other rural actors become key players in the bio-based economy. The project will create new cooperation models between primary producers and bio-based industries, fostering a more efficient and inclusive value chain.

The project aims to integrate over 80 primary producers into the bio-based industry, driving sustainability, advancing economy practices, and contributing directly to the EU’s climate neutrality targets. 

  • Evaluate cooperation models to improve the processing of underutilised secondary biomass.
  • Develop broader value networks and encourage collaboration among stakeholders.
  • Promote cooperation strategies to strengthen bio-based value chains.
  • Empower trusted regional organisations through a comprehensive train-the-trainers programme.
  • Increase the participation of primary producers in bio-based value chains through targeted capacity-building initiatives.
  • Engage stakeholders, align with public policies, and promote the widespread adoption of successful practices.
  • Develop innovative business and governance models to support the adoption of bio-based solutions.
  • Pilot and scale up new high-value bio-based products and services.
  • Provide targeted financial support and strategic guidance to stakeholders. 

  • Incorporate over 80 primary producers into the bio-based industry, fostering long-term sustainability and circular economy practices.
  • Create 30 new value chains in Europe, generating €44 million in annual sales.
  • Generate €8.8 million in profit within five years after project conclusion.
  • Launch more than 30 new bio-based products on the market, driving innovation in sustainable industries.
  • Develop over nine new forms of cooperation, improving cross-sector collaboration.
  • Attract €13.5 million in investment to scale up bio-based solutions.
  • Reduce biomass waste by 20% across the consortium over 10 years, contributing to waste minimisation and resource efficiency.
  • Cut life-cycle impacts usage per consortium by 20%, improving the environmental footprint of bio-based products.
  • Lower fossil fuel use by 50% by year 10, significantly decreasing reliance on non-renewable resources.
  • Expand the adoption of circular bio-based systems across Europe by 20%, encouraging wider acceptance of sustainable solutions.
  • Foster over 130 new green jobs, contributing to the growth of the green economy.
  • Increase rural population engagement by 15% per consortium, fostering inclusive growth in rural areas.
  • Contribute to meeting at least 10 EU and international policy objectives, supporting global sustainability goals. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • ASOCIACION CLUSTER FOOD+I De Calahorra La Rioja, Spain

Consortium

  • FUNDACION CIRCE CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS Y CONSUMOS ENERGETICOS Zaragoza, Spain
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA BASILICATA Potenza, Italy
  • Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS PC Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • AGENZIA PER LA PROMOZIONE DELLA RICERCA EUROPEA Roma, Italy
  • STICHTING CLIMATE-KIC INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • CENTRO NACIONAL DE TECNOLOGIA Y SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA San Adrián, Spain
  • SPRING SUSTAINABLE PROCESSES AND RESOURCES FOR INNOVATION AND NATIONAL GROWTH Milano, Italy
  • EUROPEAN FOREST INSTITUTE Joensuu, Finland
  • BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW Desteldonk Gent, Belgium
  • BIOEAST HUB CR, Z. U. PRAHA 5, Czechia
  • CLUSTER ITALIA FORESTA LEGNO ROMA, Italy
  • WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY Wageningen, Netherlands
  • ENCO SRL Napoli, Italy
  • FLANDERS' FOOD SINT-JOOST-TEN-NODE, Belgium
  • CLUSTER INDUSTRIELLE BIOTECHNOLOGIE EV Dusseldorf, Germany
  • AINIA Paterna Valencia, Spain
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA TUSCIA Viterbo, Italy