The concept of the bioeconomy is central to Europe’s transition to a more sustainable, circular and competitive economy. According to the European Commission, the bioeconomy covers all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources, their functions and principles.

The EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy is designed to deliver:

• Food and nutrition security through more efficient and sustainable use of biological resources
• Sustainable management of natural resources and reduced dependence on non-renewable inputs
• Adaptation to climate change and support for circular, low-carbon value chains
• Enhanced competitiveness of bio-based industries and job creation in rural and industrial regions

Agriculture is a foundational part of the bioeconomy: it supplies biomass, supports rural livelihoods and connects to downstream bio-industries. The updated Strategy highlights the importance of stakeholder mobilisation, unlocking investments and bridging the research-to-market gap.

For the CARINA project, resilient oilseed crops such as camelina and carinata exemplify how agriculture and industry can converge:

• Oilseeds become feedstock for biofuels, bioplastics, biochemicals
• Co-products and residues are valorised in animal feed, biomaterials or soil amendments
• Farming systems become part of a circular value chain, not just raw-material suppliers

To realise this vision, the Strategy emphasises actions such as scaling up biorefineries, improving regulatory frameworks, and promoting regional bioeconomy strategies.

As EU policies converge around the Green Deal, the circular economy and the Clean Industrial Deal, agriculture is no longer only about food production, it is a source of renewable materials and innovation. Projects like CARINA illustrate the opportunities of this shift: farming not just for yield, but for value across the bio-based economy. Optimising crops, technologies and value chains now will help Europe secure competitive advantage, resilient rural economies and a sustainable future.

Read more: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-strategy_en