BIO-BASED PRODUCTS
EC launches EUR 3.7 bn programme to develop bioeconomy / Targets include doubling share of bio-based chemicals produced in EU / Partnership with private sector
The European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC; www.biconsortium.eu) have launched a EUR 3.7 bn public-private programme aimed at developing Europe’s bioeconomy. Priorities of the new Bio-based Industries (BBI) programme include doubling the share of bio-based chemicals produced in Europe (from 10% to 20%), increasing biomass mobilisation by 10%, as well as reducing imports of protein for feed by 15% and fertiliser components used for feedstock production by 10%, and meeting the 15% target increase in waste and by-product utilisation by 2020.
The EC said a strong European bio-based industrial sector will significantly reduce Europe’s dependency on fossil resources and help the EU meet climate change targets. “The key is to develop new biorefining technologies to sustainably transform renewable natural resources into bio-based products and biofuels,” it added.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, stated: "With this new partnership, we want to harness innovative technologies to convert Europe’s untapped renewable resources and waste into greener everyday products such as food, feed, chemicals, materials and fuels, all sourced and made in Europe."
Dirk Carrez, executive director of the BIC added: "Without this partnership with the EU, industries across sectors wouldn't have taken the risk to invest in this emerging sector in Europe. The BBI is an achievement as such, but only the start of a long-term project where the combination of European, national and regional financing instruments will be essential to realise our full potential.”
The EC said EUR 3.7 bn will be invested in bio-based innovations between 2014 and 2020, with a EUR 975m contribution from the EU and EUR 2.73 bn from the BIC. The BIC was established in 2012 to represent the private sector partners in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the EU (see Plasteurope.com of 21.02.2012). It started with 40 European member companies and membership includes universities and European trade associations.
The EC said a strong European bio-based industrial sector will significantly reduce Europe’s dependency on fossil resources and help the EU meet climate change targets. “The key is to develop new biorefining technologies to sustainably transform renewable natural resources into bio-based products and biofuels,” it added.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, stated: "With this new partnership, we want to harness innovative technologies to convert Europe’s untapped renewable resources and waste into greener everyday products such as food, feed, chemicals, materials and fuels, all sourced and made in Europe."
Dirk Carrez, executive director of the BIC added: "Without this partnership with the EU, industries across sectors wouldn't have taken the risk to invest in this emerging sector in Europe. The BBI is an achievement as such, but only the start of a long-term project where the combination of European, national and regional financing instruments will be essential to realise our full potential.”
The EC said EUR 3.7 bn will be invested in bio-based innovations between 2014 and 2020, with a EUR 975m contribution from the EU and EUR 2.73 bn from the BIC. The BIC was established in 2012 to represent the private sector partners in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the EU (see Plasteurope.com of 21.02.2012). It started with 40 European member companies and membership includes universities and European trade associations.
29.07.2014 Plasteurope.com [228776-0]
Published on 29.07.2014
German version of this article...