Milano is hosting today the third edition of BioInvestIT, the key investment forum for circular bioeconomy organized by Italian Circular Bioeconomy Spring together with the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) and Bio4Dreams and the support of TerraNext, LCA and Bioinvest Europe. The event brings together innovative businesses and projects seeking capital with financial and corporate investors from all over Europe.
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BRIGHT, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and LanzaTech Global, Inc., a global leader in gas fermentation, have entered a multi-year agreement to accelerate development of technologies that convert carbon emissions into valuable products.
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The EU needs a strong and coherent bioeconomy strategy grounded in strict sustainability safeguards, circular design, and reduced resource use, ensuring competitiveness and climate goals remain within planetary boundaries. It must also clearly define the societal value of the bioeconomy. In its opinion, ‘EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Towards a Circular, Regenerative and Competitive Bioeconomy’, adopted on 29 April, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) emphasised that Europe is a resource-constrained and highly import-dependent continent. It relies on fossil fuels and raw materials in an increasingly tense geopolitical situation. At the same time, overexploitation of natural resources is one of the main causes of ongoing biodiversity loss.
A Bangladesh-sponsored resolution on sustainable bioeconomy has been adopted by consensus at the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The resolution, titled “Supporting the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy in countries in Asia and the Pacific”, reflects strong support from member states across the region, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok.
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.
“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
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.”
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.
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.
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.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 