A month after China publicly revealed its bioeconomy priorities under its 15th Five Year Plan, the European Commission released an updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy — and the contrast could hardly be sharper. While China bets on a bold mix of AI, bioengineering and synthetic biology to replace fossil based industrial products with recombinant and cell free systems, the EU remains anchored in a more traditional vision focused on the valorisation of agricultural output and industrial waste. By contrast, the UK has taken a more modern approach, heavily investing in engineering biology — the use of reprogrammed microorganisms to produce industrial goods — as a key pillar of its biotech and bioeconomy strategy.
Tag Archive for: bioeconomy
French Afyren secures €23m to accelerate biorefinery expansion as first plant enters full industrial ramp-up. Most of the money comes from US company Kemin Industries.
Biomanufacturing promises domestic, sustainable, sovereign and resilient production. Capacities are trapped in outdated scale-up processes. SPRIND urges investment and disruptive innovation to propel biomanufacturing. Demands are decentralised, non-sterile & continuous biomanufacturing capabilities.
Portuguese fibre producer Altri SGPS S.A.has signed an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Swiss clean technology company AeoniQ to support the commercial-scale development of the first fully biodegradable cellulose-based filament designed to replace polyester and nylon.
The UK government has unveiled a new industrial strategy that includes a commitment to invest £380m in engineering biology. The package comprises an initial £196m for research and development, and a further £184m for the expansion and modernisation of pilot and scale-up infrastructure.
AFYREN’s first biorefinery, AFYREN NEOXY, has reached continuous production, marking a key step toward large-scale commercialisation of its bio-based acids. The plant will now ramp up output and fulfill long-term contracts across key sectors like nutrition, cosmetics, and life sciences. European Biotech News talked to CEO Nicolas Sordet about the long and winding road to sucess.
Belgian micriobial fermentation specialist AmphiStar NV has partnered with US plant-based ingredient heavyweight Kensing to market its biosurfactants in the US, using locally-produced feedstocks. Amphistar’s biosurfactants are an alternative to palm oil made surfactants that are 25% of the current US$20bn surfactant market.
Biotechnology provides the necessary toolbox, ranging from energy-saving biocatalysts for the chemical industry to climate-friendly production of animal feed and food proteins for more resilience, microbial recovery of rare critical materials, to the production of pharmaceutically active ingredients.
The European Commission has presented its long-awaited Clean Industrial Deal, which aims at replacing its Green Deal in times of geopolitical tensions, slow economic growth and technological competition with “a transformational business plan” that makes the world’s 2nd largest economic bloc future-proof, sustainable while improving global competitiveness.
Now that US President Donald Trump has loudly announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris climate targets and refocus the US economy on fossil fuel production, Europe, which is still a leader in the bioeconomy, is sensing an opportunity. A new cluster alliance of 14 production sites wants to advance the high-tech bioeconomy.
Tag Archive for: bioeconomy
The morning features keynotes from the European Research Executive Agency, EU-level policy insights and regional development actors, to set the scene for regional pathways in a fair and just bioeconomy transition. It also includes insights from BIO2REG on the support available for regions, as well as pitches showcasing concrete regional initiatives and services that can help accelerate regional bioeconomy projects.
The afternoon focuses on lively exchange and direct dialogue. An interactive session will bring together regional experiences and perspectives to identify common needs and challenges and turn them into concrete next steps. Breakout discussions and a “speed-dating” session create space to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other, followed by a networking reception.
BIO2REG Connect – turn knowledge into action and strengthen your regional capacity for a sustainable bioeconomy!


adobe.stock.com - Cathy
Afyren Group
SPRIND
HeiQ/AeoniQ, Renewcell
www.gov.uk
AFYREN SA
Frederick Bernas
BRAIN Biotech AG
Audiovisual Library of the European Commission
adobe stock - pkproject
BIOCOM / aminul788 - Adobe Stock