The project was composed of three sequential phases:
In Phase 1 we assessed the current situation of the IB in Europe (“where do we stand?”), and provide an outlook on the potential developments in the short/middle term of 5-10 years. This included an extensive information collection and analysis of the innovation potentials, opportunities, demand drivers, barriers, risks that are likely to occur in the short/ medium term.
In Phase 2 we elaborated potential desirable, realistically achievable future paths for the six value chains for IB, namely lignocellulosic ethanol, bio-based plastics, enzymes, Production of biopharmaceuticals, biotechnologically produced flavours and fragrances, microbiomes for food and healthy nutrition. The insights regarding key factors for future development of these value chains were eventually be combined into an integrated vision for the future of IB in Europe.
In Phase 3 we deduced the future R&D&I needs, related innovation topics and needs of actions to put into action the prospects. As prerequisite for Europe to remain in a leadership position in the global competition in IB industry in the future, interregional and international collaborations will have to be intensified. Therefore, collaboration opportunities and beneficial framework conditions to incentivize cross-country collaboration as well as potential strategies for country groups with regard to their capacities were identified.
In these phases various different results were elaborated, containing various quantitative (system dynamics modeling, analysis of European Manufacturing Survey for biotechnology, patent analysis) and qualitative results (scenarios, value chain assessments).
The analyses point out that for a favourable development of IB in Europe a set of different factors has to evolve positively, such as maintaining competitiveness in future technological developments, aligning supply to customer needs, adjusting policy instruments, etc. In order to maintain a strong and leading position of the EU in IB and to realize its socio-economic potential, a broad portfolio of IB technologies, products, processes and applications should be supported by a comprehensive and coherent policy framework and a set of well-balanced, targeted policy actions. R&D&I policy and corresponding actions are an integral part of this framework.
Therefore, a set of recommendations has been elaborated that contains a broad range of aspects.
The results have been disseminated intensively to the IB community and the broader public. Besides various Deliverables, including a summarizing Brochure, which will be published on the Website, the results were presented at different events. Those events have been partly organized in the project itself, such as five workshops and the Final Conference. Besides, the results were presented at three events organized form the OECD and in addition on various conferences. Articles in journals to approach the scientific community as well as press release are planned.
