Society – IL BIOECONOMISTA

An exclusive interview with Agata Kotkowska, Deputy Head of the Bioeconomy and Sustainable Materials at EU Commission

9 November 20268 November 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

“The bioeconomy is directly linked to the priorities of this Commission: competitiveness, as set out in the Competitiveness Compass; decarbonisation of industry under the Clean Industrial Deal; and economic security, by reducing dependence on imported fossil feedstocks and critical inputs. It also contributes to nature restoration and climate resilience when it is built on sustainable biomass.” To say this in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista, is Agata Kotkowska, Head of the Bioeconomy and Sustainable Materials at the DG Envi of EU Commission. Kotkowska talks with us about the next steps for the European bioeconomy after the Strategy launched last year and the Global Bioeconomy Summit, which was held three weeks ago in Dublin under the Irish Presidency of UE.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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The European Bioeconomy Conference is coming: Brussels, 19 November

5 November 20264 November 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

The 2nd European Bioeconomy Conference organised by logos in collaboration with Cepi will take place on 19 November 2026 at Sparks, Brussels, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and innovators under the theme: “Ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy in bio-based industries”

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Dublin is ready to host the Global Bioeconomy Summit on October 19-21

12 October 202611 October 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Dublin will welcome the world’s bioeconomy community for the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026 in October, bringing together global expertise at the Convention Centre Dublin during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Recognised as a leading global forum for bioeconomy policy, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the Global Bioeconomy Summit brings together political leaders, policy makers, industry leaders, researchers, investors, and civil society globally to accelerate sustainable, bio-based innovation and solutions.

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30 strategies, three visions: What kind of bioeconomy is the world building?

17 September 202615 September 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

The bioeconomy is going global. But countries are not building the same bioeconomy. Across 30 national strategies, governments are looking to biological resources, biotechnology and biological production systems to support economic development, industrial transformation and sustainability. Yet behind the common term bioeconomy lie markedly different strategic choices.

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IFIB 2026 will be held on October 1-2 in Rome. The Eternal City will be the world capital of circular bioeconomy

10 August 20269 August 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

On October 1-2, Rome, Italy, will be the center of gravity of world bioeconomy. The Italian city capital will host the International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology. IFIB will be held at the WeGil hosted by Lazio Innova and Lazio Region. With more than 200 delegates in attendance from approximately 25 different countries from all around the world, also thanks to a partnership with the Italian Trade Agency, the conference truly succeeds one more time in its ambitions aim to be one of the leading bioeconomy events at global level.

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CBE JU published its 2025 Annual Activity Report: the EU bioeconomy is alive and well

2 July 20261 July 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Virginia Puzzolo, Head of Program at CBE JU at IFIB 2023 in Florence

CBE JU has published its 2025 Annual Activity Report, presenting a year of strong demand, broader participation and tangible progress in supporting Europe’s circular bio-based sector. From record interest in the call for proposals, strong SME and newcomer participation to industrial deployment milestones, progress towards KPIs and wider engagement of new organisations and underrepresented countries, the latest results underline CBE JU’s contribution to the EU’s strategic goals.

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Today the second edition of the BioINSouth Forum get started in Seville

11 June 20268 June 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Seville in Spain is hosting the second edition of the BioINSouth Forum. The Andalusian city is for a couple of days the Mediterranean capital of bioeconomy, thanks to the forum that is bringing together leaders and experts from various sectors and disciplines from South Europe and beyond. Today they are discussing and outlining the R&I priorities in bioeconomy, in conjunction with the particularities of the South European regions, asking for a new political EU Initiative: BioSouth. If there is a BioEast it’s also needed a BioSouth to enlarge and boost the European bioeconomy.

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FAO event showcases practical bioeconomy approaches across Europe and Central Asia

8 June 20267 June 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Fountain of Trevi in Rome (headquarter of FAO)

A virtual event organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 28 May showcased practical, scalable solutions from across Europe and Central Asia, highlighting how circular bioeconomy approaches in agriculture can drive innovation, support sustainable development and help translate commitments into concrete action on the ground.

The event marked the launch of the publication “Case studies promoting bioeconomy through agricultural practices in Europe and Central Asia”, which presents examples of sustainable and circular agricultural practices already being implemented across the region.

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Stora Enso introduces Bergslagets Skogar as the new name for its Swedish forest asset company

18 May 202617 May 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Stora Enso paper mill in Hyltebruk (Sweden)

Stora Enso launched Bergslagets Skogar as the new name of its Swedish forest asset company. The announcement marks an important step in Stora Enso’s preparations to separate its Swedish forest assets into a standalone listed company, subject to relevant approvals. Bergslagets Skogar represents Stora Enso’s Swedish forest asset entity, comprising long term, sustainably managed forest land with a history of active ownership extending back to year 1288. The name reflects both the historical footprints in the old Copper Mine in Falun and a long term approach to value creation, where planning horizons extend across generations.

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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.

22 April 202622 April 2026Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

“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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