Case Studies
BIOTRANSFORM works directly in 6 case-study regions that represent different bioeconomies
The six case-study regions, from different EU countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, and Spain), were selected because they represent different examples of a biotransformation challenge (e.g. forestry, tourism, agri-food). By analysing these specific regional cases, BIOTRANSFORM proposes transformation pathways, validated via the assessment package, that provide policy-makers with an adequate assessment and development framework, knowledge base, and expert support ecosystems to accelerate similar transitions in the EU.
SPAIN
Andalusia
Main bioeconomy topics
tourism, retail, transportation, underdeveloped industry, agriculture, olive, citrus, tomato
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
biomass valorisation, sustainable intensification of land use, agroforestry, bioengineering for water guidance & storage, wastewater reuse & greening
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
raise awareness about agroecology in>3 farmer associations/cooperatives, plan >3 innovative bio-products for farmers, identify >3 potential water reuse projects
Relevance for Europe
4,6 million ha olive orchards in EU, tourism is the third-largest socio-economic
Austria
Northern Burgenland
Main bioeconomy topics
vineyards, vegetation & sludge from lake, agribusinesses
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
extractions of vine biomass, wine processing upgrades, sustainable intensification of land use, mud & lake vegetation utilisation
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
>+10% additional income through multiple valorisation pathways of vine residues, muds & lake vegetation, potential >+500 jobs
Relevance for Europe
~3M ha vineyards in EU, ~500,000 lakes in Europe larger than 1ha
Greece
Western Macedonia
Main bioeconomy topics
decarbonisation of energy production, agriculture, mining, fur & leather
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
symbiosis between resource flows, agricultural efficiency innovations, naturally treated wastewater for irrigation, natural leather tanning, wholistic use of animal residues
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
involvement of 20 farmers/foresters and >2 farmer/forester associations, technology transfer with >5 local companies (leather, fur, agriculture, forestry, food), >5 regreening plans through constructed wetlands and/or remediation of former mining areas
Relevance for Europe
transition strategies for coal fire plants in Europe (~18% of energy production), leather & fur production in EU worth more than €21B
Finland
Main bioeconomy topics
forestry, chemical production
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
higher valorisation of forestry residues & by-products, conversion to bio-commodities, agroecology, nutrient loops
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
forest value enhanced (+10% potential turnover), >2 residues utilisation & >1 nutrient recovery projects planned, >3 products
Relevance for Europe
43% of EU is covered in forests, very high dependency
Czech Republic
Charles Spa Region
Main bioeconomy topics
hot springs & associated spa, tourism, beverages & food production
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
sustainable & zero waste tourism with recovery and reuse of nutrients for food, natural extracts for beverages
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
involvement of >50 actors (tourism, beverage, organic waste, etc.), zero-waste strategies for hotels, co-development of >3 local innovative bio-products
Relevance for Europe
>37,000 spa facilities in EU >€33B market size, sustainable tourism strategies well replicable
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia
Main bioeconomy topics of the region
strong chemical industry, transformation of lignite mining area to bioeconomy region, feedstock potential of maize & beets, manure, biogas
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
production of bio-based intermediates (esp. from secondary resources) and specialties for the chemical industry, biological transformation of the industry, agroecology, waste valorisation
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
BIOTRANSFORM aims to develop innovative pathways to potentially produce high-volume biochemicals from secondary biomass, identification of high value leading products, connect urban & rural areas to generate sustainable resources for the bioeconomy.
Relevance for Europe
securing sustainable bio-based resources, innovation potential for the chemical industry worth more than € 125B in EU, example for other high-industry regions
SPAIN
Andalusia
Main bioeconomy topics
tourism, retail, transportation, underdeveloped industry, agriculture, olive, citrus, tomato
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
biomass valorisation, sustainable intensification of land use, agroforestry, bioengineering for water guidance & storage, wastewater reuse & greening
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
raise awareness about agroecology in>3 farmer associations/cooperatives, plan >3 innovative bio-products for farmers, identify >3 potential water reuse projects
Relevance for Europe
4,6 million ha olive orchards in EU, tourism is the third-largest socio-economic
Austria
Northern Burgenland
Main bioeconomy topics
vineyards, vegetation & sludge from lake, agribusinesses
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
extractions of vine biomass, wine processing upgrades, sustainable intensification of land use, mud & lake vegetation utilisation
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
>+10% additional income through multiple valorisation pathways of vine residues, muds & lake vegetation, potential >+500 jobs
Relevance for Europe
~3M ha vineyards in EU, ~500,000 lakes in Europe larger than 1ha
Greece
Western Macedonia
Main bioeconomy topics
decarbonisation of energy production, agriculture, mining, fur & leather
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
symbiosis between resource flows, agricultural efficiency innovations, naturally treated wastewater for irrigation, natural leather tanning, wholistic use of animal residues
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
involvement of 20 farmers/foresters and >2 farmer/forester associations, technology transfer with >5 local companies (leather, fur, agriculture, forestry, food), >5 regreening plans through constructed wetlands and/or remediation of former mining areas
Relevance for Europe
transition strategies for coal fire plants in Europe (~18% of energy production), leather & fur production in EU worth more than €21B
Finland
Main bioeconomy topics
forestry, chemical production
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
higher valorisation of forestry residues & by-products, conversion to bio-commodities, agroecology, nutrient loops
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
forest value enhanced (+10% potential turnover), >2 residues utilisation & >1 nutrient recovery projects planned, >3 products
Relevance for Europe
43% of EU is covered in forests, very high dependency
Czech Republic
Charles Spa Region
Main bioeconomy topics
hot springs & associated spa, tourism, beverages & food production
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
sustainable & zero waste tourism with recovery and reuse of nutrients for food, natural extracts for beverages
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
involvement of >50 actors (tourism, beverage, organic waste, etc.), zero-waste strategies for hotels, co-development of >3 local innovative bio-products
Relevance for Europe
>37,000 spa facilities in EU >€33B market size, sustainable tourism strategies well replicable
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia
Main bioeconomy topics of the region
strong chemical industry, transformation of lignite mining area to bioeconomy region, feedstock potential of maize & beets, manure, biogas
Potential circular bioeconomy innovations
production of bio-based intermediates (esp. from secondary resources) and specialties for the chemical industry, biological transformation of the industry, agroecology, waste valorisation
Measurable success and potential impact for regions
BIOTRANSFORM aims to develop innovative pathways to potentially produce high-volume biochemicals from secondary biomass, identification of high value leading products, connect urban & rural areas to generate sustainable resources for the bioeconomy.
Relevance for Europe
securing sustainable bio-based resources, innovation potential for the chemical industry worth more than € 125B in EU, example for other high-industry regions
