Bioeconomy

Algae farming is widespread in China. The macroalgae Laminaria is mainly used for food in China but its bioactive ingredients are also used, for example, in cosmetics, dietary supplements or as an additive to animal food. The industrial processing of Laminaria produces wastewater with a salinity of around 20 percent. A team led by Dr. Laurenz Thomsen, Professor of Geosciences at Jacobs University, and Postdoc Dr. Song Wang wants to clean this high-salinity wastewater with microalgal technology.

The bioeconomy is a crucial factor in fighting climate change, responding to the growing food demand and boosting rural areas. In its opinion on the Updating of the Bioeconomy Strategy, adopted at its plenary session of 15 May, the EESC calls for better support for SMEs in the form of advice and access to finance.

Many countries are formulating a long-term climate strategy to be submitted to the UNFCCC by 2020. Model-based, multi-disciplinary assessments should be a key ingredient for guiding policy makers and engaging stakeholders in this process.

The European Commission together with the Republic of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have launched a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the Black Sea (SRIA).

The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) grant agreements for 18 new projects under the 2018 Call for proposals are now signed, bringing the total number of BBI JU-funded projects to 100. The newly signed projects will tackle a range of different topics from unlocking the potential of biodegradable packaging to using mealworms to produce animal feed.

The European Union's blue economy continues growing. The economic activities related to oceans, seas and coastal areas recorded gross profit of EUR 74.3 billion in 2017, with 4 million persons employed, which is an increase of half a million since 2011.

Roadmap for the Chemical Industry in Europe towards a Bioeconomy