PROJECTS

Horizon scanning the European Bioeconomy

PROJECT TYPE

Pathfinder – Explores relevant climate arenas to identify and prioritise innovation opportunities

LOCATION

Pan-European, co-ordinated from the UK

START DATE
October 2013
LEAD PARTNER

Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science (IBERS) – Aberysthwyth University

PROJECT MANAGER
THEME

Developing a bio-economy

PARTNERS
IBERS (Aberystwyth University)
ICEPT (Imperial College London)
INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique)
CESR (Centre for Environmental Systems Research)
University of Valencia 
Bioenergy support center
Negos
Biopolus Institute
South Pole Carbon Asset Management

With bioeconomy holding the key to unlocking new and sustainable resources, more needs to be known about the current landscape of the industry across Europe. The Biohorizons project is focused on mapping the bioeconomy industry to identify areas for growth, opportunity and innovation.

Demographic and climatic changes are putting the world’s resources under increasing pressure. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, the demand for resources is growing quickly.

Simultaneously, climate change is forcing us to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels in favour of sustainable alternatives. The biorefining of fuels and chemicals has the potential to offer new and sustainable sources for resources. However, the bioeconomy market is in its infancy and it is still unclear how its research-based and commercial outputs can be best put into practice.