In recent years, the European Union has developed key policies to support the bioeconomy, recognising its transformative potential. The European Bioeconomy Strategy outlines a vision to turn biological waste streams into new bioproducts, emphasising the importance of innovation and efficient resource use. This strategy aligns with the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to establish a more sustainable European economy by encouraging the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of resources, reducing waste, and minimising carbon emissions. At the heart of the European Green Deal’s decarbonisation targets is the commitment to renewable resources, where biomass plays a crucial role. By shifting away from a linear model of “take-make-dispose” toward a circular approach, we maximise resource efficiency, decrease waste, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Today’s focus on high-value products from bioresidues is an example of how the circular economy transforms potential waste into essential resources, stimulating job creation and new opportunities in rural and urban areas.