MainstreamBIO_Understanding the biomass availability, flows and value chains of diverse rural regions in Europe

What's the problem we are addressing ? Why is it important? The potential of bio-based products and solutions in developing a sustainable economy has been recognized in the EU Bioeconomy strategy. Though, despite considerable investments in research, innovation, and business support, many EU regions have yet to realize this potential. The availability of data regarding agriculture arisings and biomass at regional level, where value chains are most likely to be implemented, is sparse. Providing this regional level information, allows actors to better assess the potential of bioeconomy activities for that region. The project aims to provide a method for analysing the potential for new bio-based value chain development in diverse regions of Europe through a useful framework for mobilising local value chain stakeholders, and understanding the potential and limitations associated with regional available biomass What is our approach to solving the problem? This study looks to provide an understanding of selected existing biomass arisings, flows, value chains, stakeholders, and innovations in diverse regions in Europe. Supporting this with the additional mapping of current value chain stakeholders along with innovative uses or projects, can also help in building bridges towards scaling new value chains around existing biomass opportunities. Project Team and Key Collaborators The CircBIO research group at MTU are part of a consortium from across the EU, ACRRES Wageningen University (NL), Agricultural University of Plovdiv (BG), RISE Processum (SE), 5 Food and Bio Cluster Denmark (DK), Innovarum (ES), Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (PL), White Research (BE), and Q-Plan International (GR). Regional Multi-actor Innovation Platforms (MIPs) have been established to enhance cooperation among key rural players towards co-creating sustainable business model pathways in line with regional potentials and policy initiatives. Two themes from the Creating Our Future Report are addressed: •Supporting Innovation in Farming and Food •Embedding Climate Action Across Society. Within the preliminary results to date, 27 biomass chains across the 7 regions have been identified and mapped, giving an in-depth understanding of regional breakdown of biomass and unique insight into key value chain actors. Some of the main findings within the mapping exercise that will generate key impact include: •Majority of by-product feedstock may already be serving an important function •Almost 96% of materials are going towards either soil, feed or energy production. •Feedstock prices also depend on source, current use & country. •Support future knowledge transfer & cooperation How our research generates IMPACT The process to complete the Biomass Arising Maps analysis of biomass arisings and flows and evaluation of 27 feedstock value chains across 7 diverse regions. Key actors within each of these value chains across the areas of production, business, policy, civil society and research were used for information to input into these maps and well as the resulting biomass flow diagrams. The project will engage with these different actors to build opportunities at a region level. Working across disciplines - Interdisciplinary Considerations Results / Achievements to date While each region has diverse primary production & feedstock opportunities, there are often common areas of interest between Europe’s regions. This may offer opportunities for technology transfer, learning & cooperation. In addition, it is also apparent that much of the largely by-product biomass is already going towards applications which may be considered low economic opportunities. However, many of these application, such as soil, feed, energy applications, serve a vital function, and would likely need to be replaced if diverted to new applications. In theory, the replacement materials could end up being less sustainable. Further research is required to better understand how much of the identified biomass can be sustainably diverted for these new bio-based value chain opportunities. Understanding the biomass availability, flows and value chains of diverse rural regions in Europe. Authors: James Gaffey 1, Alice Hand 1, Carmen Giron Dominguez 1, Robert Ludgate 1, Helena McMahon 1, Dragica Grozdanic 1 Rommie Van Der Weide 2, Kimberly Wevers 2, Peter Borisov 3, Vladislav Popov 3, Johanna Kallman 4, Liselotte Puggaard 5, Inigo Rodilla 6, Ana Casillas 6, Beatriz Del Toro 6, Irene Paredes 6, Piotr Jurga 7, Magdalena Borzecka 7, Anastasios Galatsopoulos 8, Leonidas Parodos 9, Evangelia Tsagaraki 9 1 CircBIO, Munster Technological University, Dromtacker, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland 2 ACRRES, Wageningen University and Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands 3 Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria 4 RISE Processum, Domsiö, Sweden 5 Food and Bio Cluster Denmark, Aarhus, Denmark 6 Innovarum, Madrid, Spain 7 Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Puławy, Poland 8 White Research, Saint-Gilles, Belgium 9 Q-PLAN, International, Thessaloniki, Greece