Europe’s new platform to help unlock funding for a bio-based future

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Berlaymont, European Commission’s Headquarter in Brussels

A new Bioeconomy Investment Group is being set up to help Europe’s sustainable industries secure the funding they need to grow. The group aims to reduce financial risks for investors, create clear funding standards, and bring together public and private money. Despite already supporting 17 million jobs and generating up to €2.7 trillion in economic value, many innovative bio-based projects struggle to secure financing at critical stages, such as moving from small-scale testing to full industrial production. This funding gap risks holding back Europe’s ability to turn scientific breakthroughs in biotechnology and sustainable materials into real-world industries.  

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An interview with Philippe Mengal, executive director of BIC. “The bioeconomy is not just about replacing fossil carbon. It is about redefining Europe’s place in the global economy.

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“The real question is where Europe can lead. To answer that, we need a sharper understanding of end markets and stronger market-pull policies to drive uptake of bio-based products. Scaling innovation requires demand, and demand must be actively supported through policy. Ultimately, the bioeconomy is not just about replacing fossil carbon. It is about redefining Europe’s place in the global economy.” To say this – in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Philippe Mengal, the new executive director of BIC (Biobased Industries Consortium).

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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Brussels will host the European High-Level Conference on Biosolutions on May 12

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The new edition of the European High-Level Conference on Biosolutions will be held in Brussels on May 12. This will be an opportunity to explore how biosolutions can help future-proof Europe. “At a crucial point in time for Europe, biosolutions – the organizers state – are increasingly recognised as essential for building competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability across value chains. This annual high-level conference is your chance to learn about the latest innovations, policy initiatives, regulatory trends, and collaborative opportunities – helping to shape the direction of biosolutions in Europe.”

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EIB and Eni signed €500 million in financing for new biorefinery in Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi

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Headquarter of Eni in San Donato Milanese (Milan)

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Eni signed a 15-year loan for €500 million to convert selected units of Eni’s Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi refinery, located in the Italian province of Pavia, into a biorefinery. The agreement was signed by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi.

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UPM and Mark Andy renew strategic partnership in the Americas for seventh consecutive year

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Source: UPM

UPM Adhesive Materials, a global supplier of self-adhesive paper and film products, and Mark Andy, a leading manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment, announce the renewal of their strategic partnership in the Americas for the seventh consecutive year. This global collaboration leverages UPM’s extensive portfolio of more sustainable labeling materials and Mark Andy’s cutting-edge printing technologies to deliver high-quality, innovative label printing solutions to the Americas and European markets.

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Brazil has a new strategy to make biodiversity one of the country’s main economic assets for development by 2035

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The Brazilian government last week presented a new strategy to make biodiversity one of the country’s main economic assets for development by 2035. This is according to Agència Brasil. The National Bioeconomy Development Plan (PNDBio) is expected to encompass everyone from extractive workers to industry. Among the goals are expanding payments for environmental services, incorporating new herbal medicines into Brazil’s national public health care network – the SUS – and granting new conservation units to promote ecotourism.

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The entire Itabus fleet travels with Enilive HVO diesel biofuel

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Source: http://www.eni.com

All the 100 vehicles in the Itabus fleet run on Enilive’s HVOlution diesel, a biofuel made from 100% renewable raw materials (in accordance with the European Renewable Energy Directive). Produced at Enilive’s biorefineries in Venice and Gela mainly from waste, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, and residues from the agri-food industry, HVOlution is a hydrogenated vegetable oil that can be used in all validated diesel engines and is available in more than 1,550 Enilive service stations in Italy. HVO diesel biofuel – according to the Italian company – contributes to the decarbonization of the transport sector, including heavy-duty vehicles: across the entire supply chain, in 2025 the average CO₂eq emissions reduction from Enilive HVO for traction use was 79.5%, if compared to the reference fossil mix.

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Formula 1® joins the circular bioeconomy

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Formula 1® joins the circular bioeconomy. Indeed it has become an affiliate member of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), established by His Majesty King Charles III when he was The Prince of Wales. As a member of the CBA, Formula 1 will work together with industry experts and other CBA members to strengthen the integration of nature protection and restoration into its strategy and delivery. 

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IFF Expands Latin American Footprint With New Enzyme Hub, Brazil Application Lab

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IFF  — a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences — is enhancing regional production and innovation capabilities to better support the continued growth of its Health & Biosciences (H&B) business in Latin America, one of the fastest-growing markets for the company. The effort includes the transformation of the Arroyito site in Argentina into IFF’s first full fermentation‑based enzyme production hub in the region and the opening of a household care application laboratory at IFF’s Innovation Center in Brazil. Together, these enhancements expand IFF’s regional footprint and are expected to improve speed, reliability and locally relevant solutions for markets including brewing, animal nutrition, biofuels and home care.

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Bioeconomy: European Council backs moving bio-based innovations from lab to production

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European Parliament, Brussels

Last Tuesday, the European Council approved conclusions on the new EU’s bioeconomy strategy. The Council conclusions welcome the vision for a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy by 2040, promote the use of bio-based and circular solutions across all relevant sectors – as fossil-free alternatives – and support innovation and investments. 

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