Development of methods and assessment instruments to define a transformative trajectory at a regional level, away from current economic models towards sustainable circular economy systems on the basis of renewable raw materials.
Recent events at the beginning of the 21st century have shown that an economy based on fossil resources and conceptualised as a linear business model is highly vulnerable and hardly resilient to external crises. Furthermore, especially rural areas today face a number of challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, due to a lack of employment opportunities, rural areas are becoming less attractive to younger generations. Accompanying phenomena include out-migration, aging of the community and economic impoverishment.
However, the economy of such areas is often characterized by primary producers and therefore offers many opportunities to counteract these negative trends. But many decision makers and stakeholders are questioning how these potentials can be awakened. After all, solutions are region-specific and differ significantly depending on local conditions. This leads to complex answers and thereby often obscures the view of many entrepreneurs and political decision-makers on the economic and ecological improvements that the transformation brings with it.
Precisely this circumstance is addressed by the BIOTRANSFORM project by creating clarity and understanding through the development of a comprehensive impact assessment tool, thus revealing transformation potentials. In addition to supporting and facilitating decision-making, this tool illustrates the complex interactions between the required transformation pathways, thereby promoting an understanding of interdependencies. Using 6 economically underdeveloped example regions spread across Europe, this systematic approach will be tested. Resource flows, logistic optimization models and a governance tool are intertwined in a novel and easily understandable way. Finally, the methodology developed in the project empowers those responsible to find an individual solution tailored to their region. In doing so, BIOTRANSFORM accelerates and supports the transformation towards a bio-based circular economy.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
- Development of a knowledge database and assessment methodology to help policymakers determine the best path for transformation.
- Develop policy decision support tools that enable a transition from linear fossil-based systems to circular biobased systems and establish priorities and milestones.
- Extend BIOTRANSFORM results to other EU regions to support the overall transition to biobased circular systems on the continent.
- Reach a variety of different carbon-intensive value chains in the EU and provide alternative circular biobased pathways for these value chains that are less toxic and have a lower environmental impact.
- Improving the valorization of waste and side streams in the targeted value chains.
- More and more attractive jobs in rural areas due to novel circular bio-based value chains (increased valorization, skilled jobs). Increased overall market share of biobased products/biobased industry in targeted regions.
The role of alchemia-nova
alchemia nova provides knowledge about resource flow analysis tool, which will be an important part of the assessment tool. It also plays a crucial role in the implementation of the assessment tool in the different EU regions. It takes the lead in translating the results of the assessment tool into easy-to-understand guidance. It also promotes the training of transition brokers and brings together key stakeholders to facilitate the shift towards a circular bioeconomy.
Project coordinator
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
Partners:
Alchemia-nova GmbH
Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V.
Fundación Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía
Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia
Cluster Industrielle Biotechnologie – CLIB eV.
BioEast HUB
Association of Cities and Regions
Q-PLAN international Advisors PC
Project status
Starts 10/2022, duration 30 months
Project website: https://www.biotransform-project.eu/
Call: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01
Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01-03
HORIZON Coordination and Support Action
Grant Agreement Number: 101081833
Overall costs: € 2,000,000
EU contribution: € 2,000,000