Bioeconomy

Juma, C., and Konde, V., The New Bioeconomy, in United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 2001, Palais des Nations, Geneva United Nations, p. 31. 

Most of the biofuel production processes developed to date are immature and have never been implemented on an indnstrial scale. Projections of the amount of biofuel depend on the development of the bioeconomy and society. Biofuels are generally considered as offering many priorities, inclnding sustainability, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, regional development, social structure and agriculture, security of supply (Reijnders, 2006). 

OECD (2009) The bioeconomy to 2030 designing a policy agenda. OECD report. OECD, Washington, DC. ISBN ISBN-978-92-64-03853-0... 

Golden, J.S. and Handheld, R.B. (2014) Why Biobased Opportunities in the Emerging Bioeconomy, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 

Philp JC, Ritchie RJ, Guy K. Biobased plastics in a bioeconomy. Trends Biotechnol 2013 31 (2) 65-67. 

OECD (2009) The Bioeconomy to 2030 Designing a Policy Agenda—Main Findings and Pohcy Conclusions. Available at http //www.oecd.org/futures/long-termtechnological societalchallenges/42837897.pdf. (last accessed 1/21/2014)... 

While production of most bioplastics results in reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional alternatives, there are some real concerns that the creation of a global bioeconomy could contribute to an accelerated rate of deforestation if not managed effectively. There are associated concerns over the impact on water supply and soil erosion and bioplastics represent a 42% reduction in carbon footprint. On the other hand, bioplastic can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. 

Halle Plant-based Bioeconomy , and BMBF Bioindustrie2021-Biokatalyse2021... 

W. Ganapini in Bioplastics A Case Study of Bioeconomy in Italy,... 

The 10 chemicals, which were briefly presented in this overview, have a high potential as platform chemicals in a fntnre bioeconomy, which will be based on biorefineries instead of fossil oil refineries. The following. Table 17.1, shows that all 10 chemicals can be produced in biorefineries and it also shows which biorefinery type produces which chemical. 

The increasing demand for a sustainable supply of food, raw materials, products and fuels, together with recent scientific progress, has been the major economic driving force behind the growth and interest in the bioeconomy of Europe over the last few decades [1]. 

This chapter will analyse the main policy initiatives recently undertaken at EU level to foster the innovation capacity in Europe, reaching the goal of building a Knowledge Biobased Economy, and to favour the market entry of new and innovative biobased products. Many of the initiatives and plans adopted by the EU in the bioeconomy sector have tried to involve the main stakeholders, i.e., the industry sector (with a strong focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)), European associations, European technology platforms and researchers. 

The paragraphs that follow will provide a brief overview on the policy initiatives the EU has undertaken in order to build the bioeconomy, and anticipation of how research activities are influenced by policies, and vice versa. Support at legislative, political and, of course, financial level is required to boost the areas of research the EU deems necessary for its future at the same time, if research had not reached the present level and results, many of the current policies would not have been undertaken. 

The EC has recently raised the bar and launched a new strategy on the Bioeconomy entitled Innovating for Sustainable Growth a Bioeconomy for Europe [16]. The proposal will help to drive the transition from a fossil-based economy to a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe, with research and innovation at its core. According to the document, published on 13 February 2013, the EU bioeconomy includes... 

In particular, in the bioeconomy area, research was focused on the identification of new, more environmentally friendly types of products, such as biodegradable... 

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Innovating for Sustainable Growth A Bioeconomy for... 

Finally, I wish to dedicate this volume to the memory of Raul Gardini, who was a pioneer of Bioeconomy, and the unwitting origin of my interest and dedication to renewable raw materials and bioplastics. 

Biobased products were, in fact, one of the six sectors included in the 2007 Lead Market Initiative of the European Commission (EC), with the aim of fostering the emergence of such lead markets with high economic and societal value, focusing on areas where coordinated policymaking can speed up market development [1]. More recently, in February 2012, the EC launched a new Bioeconomy Strategy [2],... 

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