Launched in March 2015, INNPROBIO aims to develop information and guidance on innovative procurement opportunities of bio-based products and services.

The project researchers also plan to offer assistance on writing tenders to public bodies interested in tapping into the burgeoning bio-economy. Events will be organised to gather the views and suggestions of public procurers, decision makers, standardisation bodies and business product suppliers from across the EU in order to enhance the public procurement of bio-based products and services.

INNPROBIO’s eventual goal is to create cross-border buyer groups of public procurement practitioners, capable of collaboratively developing tenders for bio-based products and services. Specific groups will be set up on the new online procurement forum enabling project results to be shared.

Project findings will also be integrated into the existing procurement of innovation platform adding value to this existing resource and allowing the bio-based products sector to benefit from existing infrastructure and knowledge.

Bio-based products – products wholly or partly derived from biomass – have the potential to make Europe’s economy more sustainable and lower its dependence on fossil resources.

Products such as bioplastics, soy-based lubricants or wooden building blocks could be produced using less water and energy and with less toxic waste than traditional fossil-based production methods.

Bio-based products have also become an important part of Europe’s sustainable economy. A recent EU assessment indicated that bio-based products and services and biofuels currently account for EUR 57 billion in annual revenue and involve 300 000 jobs.