Bioeconomy

Seaweed is a marine algae that has many uses. It can be used as a biofuel, for animal feed, as a fertilizer, for industrial products, and even as an ingredient in toothpaste and cosmetics. It is often used as an additive in foods, gels and foams. © Getty

A new and green revolution

In 2012, the European Commission adopted a strategy to shift our economy towards greater and more sustainable use of these renewable resources. The EU bioeconomy already has a turnover of nearly €2 trillion and employs more than 22 million people. By 2025, the aim for each euro invested in EU funded bioeconomy research and innovation is to trigger 10 euros of added value.

Collection of seaweed along the west coast of Ireland (Co. Donegal). ©AlgAran

health | agriculture | bioeconomy

06 September 2013

Health supplements from antioxidant-rich seaweed

Seaweed could become an important source of disease-fighting antioxidants, if EU scientists succeed in proving its benefits.

Plants on a conveyor belt in the plant laboratory near Dijon, France. © ABSTRESS

bioeconomy | agriculture | environment

04 September 2013

Breeding tough new vegetables to resist drought

European scientists are applying hi-tech breeding to develop vegetables that can grow through blight and drought – a GMO-free way to help Europe cut down on animal feed imports and help the environment.

Dr Tim O'Higgins is coordinator of the KnowSeas project, led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science. © SAMS

opinion | environment | bioeconomy

24 July 2013

The value of the sea can’t just be measured by markets

Dr Tim O'Higgins, coordinator of the EU-funded KnowSeas project, based in Oban, Scotland, argues that implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy will require a delicate balance between the use of Europe’s seas and conservation of the maritime ecosystem.

Biofuel can be produced from algae. At the Farnborough Airshow 2010, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS) showcased flights of an aircraft powered by pure biofuel made from this resource. © EADS

environment | industry | bioeconomy

20 June 2013

Shifting gear on biofuels

Car fuel made from agricultural waste could help cut down carbon usage without taking up land that is used to grow food. It is one innovation that could help the biofuels industry shift up a gear.

Thanks to EU-funded research, the monitoring of bees in the hive is going wireless. © Shutterstock

environment | bioeconomy

07 June 2013

How are the bees doing?

Innovative new EU-funded research aims to help tackle an alarming decline in Europe's bee population. At Nottingham Trent University in the UK researchers are developing new methods to transfer wirelessly information about the health of the hive to the beekeeper.

Biomaterials in granular form are today used to make items such as mulching film or disposable tableware as well as different kinds of packaging. © Novamont

environment | industry | bioeconomy

15 May 2013

From plastic litter to high-quality compost

Early shoots for the bioeconomy have sprung up through innovative ideas in completely different businesses. And, at the same time, they raise some legislative initiatives.

In the French region of Champagne, local farmers and industrial partners have developed a fully integrated industrial biorefinery. It takes advantage of the biomass, based on traditional agro-industries, for new applications of agro-resources to be used in the local area. © Getty

energy | bioeconomy | agriculture | industry

18 March 2013

Biorefinery sorts the chaff from the wheat

Among the vineyards and wheat fields of north-eastern France, a revolution in chemical manufacturing is quietly gathering momentum. Here, biomass is turned into valuable components and energy.

bioeconomy | environment | industry | agriculture

18 March 2013

Bioeconomy: the new revolution

The industrial revolution made the world wealthy through a simple idea: to replace the physical labour of humans and animals with energy from fossil fuels. Two-and-a-half centuries after the revolution started, however, it is in trouble. The oil that powers much of the world’s economy is running out, and the greenhouse gases given off by the fuels are harming the planet.