What is bioeconomy?

The term “bioeconomy” is relatively new, but has evolved into one of the top hits in recent policy documents. It entered the policy discussion in Europe as late as in the middle of the 2000s. The recognisability of the term is illustrated by a doubling of hits on Google searches from 2007 to 2013.

The high level of political interest in bioeconomy is based on a number of potential benefits: reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased dependence on fossil resources and improved food security. A boost in bioeconomy is also expected to generate employment, and to create new non-food markets, thus benefiting rural development.

The technical potential for bioeconomy is impressive. It has been estimated that over 90% of oil-based products could be replaced by bio-based alternatives. The challenge is rather to increase the scale of activities.

The term in itself is not precisely defined. The content of bioeconomy depends on the perspective of the user and the context it is used in. It is therefore not surprising that policy documents, as well as scientific articles, devote a mass of space to discussing what it means. One source defines it as “an economy where the basic building blocks for materials, chemicals and energy are derived from renewable biological resources”. The concept of bioeconomy, also known as “bio-based economy” or ”knowledge-based bio-economy” usually refers to an economy founded on biomass instead of fossil fuels. It originated in the life sciences and biotechnology spheres, but has expanded to incorporate other ideas such as the biorefinery concept.

Bioeconomy can also be considered from two contrasting perspectives. One is the life sciences vision, where genetic engineering and technical development make the conversion of biomass to energy or other products more efficient, thereby boosting industry and export. The alternative vision is the agro-ecological vision, which involves the utilisation of agricultural waste to produce energy onsite.

Some bioeconomy terms:

• Biofuels are liquid and gaseous fuels derived from biomass and used for transport. 
• First generation biofuels are made from food crops, second generation biofuels are based on non-food biomass, such as lignocellulosic materials, and third generation biofuels are derived from algae. 
• Biorefineries involve the integrated production of energy, fuels, chemicals and other products derived from biomass. The biorefinery concept aims to replace petroleum-based refineries. 
• White biotechnology (Industrial biotechnology) uses enzymes and microorganisms to make bio-based products, including chemicals, food and feed, bioenergy, paper and pulp, and textiles. 
• Grey biotechnology encompasses technological solutions created to protect the environment, such as in the case of oil spills and purifying sewage water. 
• Green biotechnology refers to agricultural processes for instance to develop genetically modified crops or improve plant breeding techniques. 
• Blue biotechnology refers to marine and aquatic applications, and red biotechnology relates to the health sector. 

Source: (free interpretation from McCormick, K. & Kautto, N. 2013. The bioeconomy in Europe: An overview. Sustainability 5, 2589-2608.)

From Niews & Views no. 6, 2013 (www.nordicforestresearch.org)