Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRIMED (Redesigning the Primary Sector for Maximizing Bioeconomy Development)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Europe generates over 900 million tons of residual biomass each year, yet 98% is wasted through landfilling, incineration, or open dumping, causing pollution, health risks, and loss of value. At the same time, abandonment of arable land is projected to reach 20 million hectares (11%) by 2030. With proper valorisation, these resources could be transformed into feedstocks for bio-based products, revitalising marginal land and rural economies. Bio-waste revalorisation can create 4–9 times more added value and 5–10 times more jobs than energy-only uses, supporting bioplastics, biochemicals, biofertilisers, biofuels, food, and feed. Rural areas, however, face depopulation, social inequalities, and high vulnerability to climate change, highlighting the urgency of circular solutions.
The overall goal of PRIMED is to co-create innovative cooperation models that integrate primary producers into novel bioeconomy value chains. Through 5 LLABs across Europe (ES, PT, IT, IE and FI), the project develops advanced biorefinery processes and Circular Bioeconomy Business Models (CBMB), actively addressing barriers to biomass valorisation. PRIMED also reviews regulatory frameworks and provides policy recommendations to foster enabling conditions.
The project builds a collaborative ecosystem with its Circular Business Model Navigator, an open-access platform developing a Digital Toolbox showing, case studies, and connections to accelerate adoption of circular technologies. The specific objectives (SO) are:
SO1: Establish framework conditions
SO2: Process characterisation & CBMB development
SO3: Create collaborative ecosystem for CBMB co-creation
SO4: Demonstrate processes & monitor impacts
The overall goal of PRIMED is to co-create innovative cooperation models that integrate primary producers into novel bioeconomy value chains. Through 5 LLABs across Europe (ES, PT, IT, IE and FI), the project develops advanced biorefinery processes and Circular Bioeconomy Business Models (CBMB), actively addressing barriers to biomass valorisation. PRIMED also reviews regulatory frameworks and provides policy recommendations to foster enabling conditions.
The project builds a collaborative ecosystem with its Circular Business Model Navigator, an open-access platform developing a Digital Toolbox showing, case studies, and connections to accelerate adoption of circular technologies. The specific objectives (SO) are:
SO1: Establish framework conditions
SO2: Process characterisation & CBMB development
SO3: Create collaborative ecosystem for CBMB co-creation
SO4: Demonstrate processes & monitor impacts
During the first reporting period (M1-M18), the project specfic objectives (SO) have been achieved through:
- SO1. Establishing framework conditions (WP2): Framework conditions established (D2.3) and Map and Overview of relevant conversion technologies and biomass feedstocks (D2.1) submitted.
The biomass resource assessment and technology mapping task successfully established a comprehensive framework for evaluating biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies, contributing with valuable insights. A qualitative overview of current resources and technologies was compiled into Fact Sheets, ensuring an integrated perspective on potential value chains and business models. The bio-based business models were deeply analysed utilising various methodologies. A critical assessment of Living Labs' value chains was conducted, identifying key barriers and opportunities for optimization. Governance, policy challenges, investment opportunities, and impact monitoring indicators were also examined, offering strategic recommendations.
- SO2. Process characterisation and circular business models development (WP3): CBMB developed for the five living labs. Data generation for the circular business model navigator (D3.1) and for the concept map (to identify patterns), submitted. Value chain mapping for our 5 LLABs (D3.2) submitted; including the risk-analysis by NAKED and the preliminary technoeconomic analysis by SINTEF is completed.
- SO3. Creation of the collaborative ecosystem for circular business models co-creation (WP4): Each LLAB defined its territory, mapped stakeholders, and set up initial advocacy groups through a multi-actor approach. Shared Agendas were developed by combining bottom-up and top-down methods, supported by on-site visits and tailored methodological tools. This laid the foundation for territorial strategies aligned with local bioeconomy challenges. In parallel, the PRIMED Digital Toolbox (v1) was designed as an open-access platform, featuring a business model navigator, case libraries, and customizable tools to foster collaboration and innovation. Future versions will expand with governance frameworks, impact assessment tools, and enhanced collaborative features.
- SO4. Process and circular business models demonstration and impact monitoring (WP5): The process began with the development of detailed guidelines and supporting documentation to define the scope, criteria, and procedures for participation in the PRIMED Open Calls. Following this preparatory phase, the 1st Open Call was launched, through which 4 end-users were selected. These end-users are currently validating their end products and demonstrating technological approaches to transform feedstock resources into high-value bio-based products. Although results from these activities are not yet available, they represent a critical first step in testing the applicability of the developed solutions. Building on this experience, preparations for the 2nd Open Call are well underway. 6 additional end-users will be selected in July 2025, with validation activities expected to begin in September 2025. In parallel, we have initiated the evaluation of economic feasibility, market potential, and social and environmental impacts. At this stage, the focus is on organising and identifying the data required for these assessments, so that once validation results are available, a comprehensive analysis can be carried out.
The remaining WPs will start in M19:
WP6. Accelerating the collaborative bioeconomy ecosystem
WP7. Good Practices, Policy Recommendations & Exploitation
WP8. C&D (part II)
WP9. Project Management (Part II)
- SO1. Establishing framework conditions (WP2): Framework conditions established (D2.3) and Map and Overview of relevant conversion technologies and biomass feedstocks (D2.1) submitted.
The biomass resource assessment and technology mapping task successfully established a comprehensive framework for evaluating biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies, contributing with valuable insights. A qualitative overview of current resources and technologies was compiled into Fact Sheets, ensuring an integrated perspective on potential value chains and business models. The bio-based business models were deeply analysed utilising various methodologies. A critical assessment of Living Labs' value chains was conducted, identifying key barriers and opportunities for optimization. Governance, policy challenges, investment opportunities, and impact monitoring indicators were also examined, offering strategic recommendations.
- SO2. Process characterisation and circular business models development (WP3): CBMB developed for the five living labs. Data generation for the circular business model navigator (D3.1) and for the concept map (to identify patterns), submitted. Value chain mapping for our 5 LLABs (D3.2) submitted; including the risk-analysis by NAKED and the preliminary technoeconomic analysis by SINTEF is completed.
- SO3. Creation of the collaborative ecosystem for circular business models co-creation (WP4): Each LLAB defined its territory, mapped stakeholders, and set up initial advocacy groups through a multi-actor approach. Shared Agendas were developed by combining bottom-up and top-down methods, supported by on-site visits and tailored methodological tools. This laid the foundation for territorial strategies aligned with local bioeconomy challenges. In parallel, the PRIMED Digital Toolbox (v1) was designed as an open-access platform, featuring a business model navigator, case libraries, and customizable tools to foster collaboration and innovation. Future versions will expand with governance frameworks, impact assessment tools, and enhanced collaborative features.
- SO4. Process and circular business models demonstration and impact monitoring (WP5): The process began with the development of detailed guidelines and supporting documentation to define the scope, criteria, and procedures for participation in the PRIMED Open Calls. Following this preparatory phase, the 1st Open Call was launched, through which 4 end-users were selected. These end-users are currently validating their end products and demonstrating technological approaches to transform feedstock resources into high-value bio-based products. Although results from these activities are not yet available, they represent a critical first step in testing the applicability of the developed solutions. Building on this experience, preparations for the 2nd Open Call are well underway. 6 additional end-users will be selected in July 2025, with validation activities expected to begin in September 2025. In parallel, we have initiated the evaluation of economic feasibility, market potential, and social and environmental impacts. At this stage, the focus is on organising and identifying the data required for these assessments, so that once validation results are available, a comprehensive analysis can be carried out.
The remaining WPs will start in M19:
WP6. Accelerating the collaborative bioeconomy ecosystem
WP7. Good Practices, Policy Recommendations & Exploitation
WP8. C&D (part II)
WP9. Project Management (Part II)
During PRIMED project we are developing the following results (RES):
-RES1: Open-access business model navigator with tools and templates.
-RES2: Demonstration of new bio-based value chains with fair governance and benefit sharing.
-RES3: Development of CBMBs in five Living Labs to improve farmer incomes, integration, equity, working conditions, digitalisation, and rural resilience.
-RES4: Digital toolbox with methodologies, tools, guidelines, and resources for collaboration.
-RES5: Shared agendas to foster sustainable bioeconomy, inclusion, and fair benefit distribution.
-RES6: Stronger multi-actor collaboration and producer engagement to scale technologies and raise public awareness.
-RES1: Open-access business model navigator with tools and templates.
-RES2: Demonstration of new bio-based value chains with fair governance and benefit sharing.
-RES3: Development of CBMBs in five Living Labs to improve farmer incomes, integration, equity, working conditions, digitalisation, and rural resilience.
-RES4: Digital toolbox with methodologies, tools, guidelines, and resources for collaboration.
-RES5: Shared agendas to foster sustainable bioeconomy, inclusion, and fair benefit distribution.
-RES6: Stronger multi-actor collaboration and producer engagement to scale technologies and raise public awareness.