On the occasion of the open week of European regions in Brussels (Infodays of the Regions Europe), the members of the European project Bioeconomy Regional Strategy Tools met at the headquarters of the European Biomass Association to present the tools developed by the project members.
The tools consist of a comparative database of bioeconomic potential (quantitative analysis), a catalog of instruments and measures (analysis of support mechanism programs), and a set of examples of regional profiles (qualitative analysis, from the perspective of innovative clusters), and are intended to serve as a basis for the development of smart regional RIS 3 strategies for those regions that plan to differentiate themselves by promoting activities related to the Bioeconomy.
The various agents of the Madrid region – entrepreneurs, research centers, innovative companies, incubators – that carry out activities aimed at promoting the bioeconomy, through biotechnology, improving energy efficiency, sustainability, eco-innovation and the so-called circular economy, were represented by the participants of the binomial formed by the regional Biotechnology Cluster and the Madrid Science Park.
The event was attended by Manuel Gómez Barbero from JRC Seville, who gave a presentation on bioeconomy data focused on bio-industries and bio-products; Lambert van Nistelrooij (member of the European Parliament), who spoke about bioeconomy initiatives and strategies and their relationship with the Juncker plan investments; and finally Christophe Luguel (member of the agro-industrial competitiveness pole IAR Cluster) who presented the advances in agricultural industrial renewal through different types of biorefineries.
At the end of the event, Timoteo de la Fuente, national expert for the Chemical Industry of DG Grow, reminded attendees of the importance of reindustrialization in Europe, and the upcoming implementation of a support and preparation program for six European regions selected for their investment orientation towards sustainability and the use of renewable raw materials in inter-sectoral projects.
The meeting, which was supported by the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), was attended by more than seventy people.
The European project BERST, which began a year and a half ago, is funded through the Seventh Framework Program and aims to improve understanding and estimate the potential of the challenges faced by the implementation of the bioeconomy in different regions.
