On March 17th, the European Council approved the conclusions regarding the new EU bioeconomy strategy. It recognized the vision of building a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy by 2040, advocated the use of bio-based and circular solutions in various related fields as alternative to fossil-based ones, and provided support for related innovations and investments.
The bioeconomy relies on renewable biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms to produce food, energy and industrial products. Picture
Cypriot Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, speaking on behalf of the rotating EU presidency, pointed out, "The transformation led by the bioeconomy is already clearly visible across Europe: from everyday bio-based products such as beeswax lip balms and linen textiles, to cutting-edge materials like car parts made from olive tree waste, all are examples. The conclusions reached by the Council today send a clear and firm message to the outside world: on the path to building a resilient bioeconomy and achieving European strategic autonomy by 2040, competitiveness, sustainability and local innovation must be the core priorities."
The Council stated in its conclusions that it recognizes the EU Commission's proposed EU bioeconomy strategy, considering it a timely and crucial measure to enhance European competitiveness, resilience, prosperity and sustainable development levels.
The conclusion states that it is necessary to effectively implement the current EU legislation related to the bioeconomy and update the relevant action plans of each country in accordance with this strategy. The Council supports increasing innovation efforts and introducing measures to facilitate investment in sustainable bio-based solutions, including accelerating the approval process, simplifying relevant rules, and promoting the EU's global leadership role in the bioeconomy field.
Creating a stable and predictable market demand for sustainable bio-based materials and technologies is the key to attracting private investment. Against this backdrop, the council emphasizes the need to explore and strengthen high-potential areas and build a leading market in the bioeconomy.
Such leading markets should not be limited to the areas specified in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy (such as bio-based plastics, chemical products, building materials, fertilizers, etc.), but should also extend to other fields such as footwear textiles, papermaking, and the blue bioeconomy (such as the development and utilization of algae and sponges).
Recent reports indicate that the self-sufficiency rate of biomass supply within the EU is approximately 90%, effectively achieving self-sufficiency. The Council has called for the sustainable supply of biomass to be guaranteed, considering it a key factor for the long-term development of the bioeconomy; at the same time, it urges each member state to efficiently utilize biomass throughout the entire bioeconomy value chain, taking into account environmental protection, and promoting the use of secondary biomass such as by-products, biological waste, and residues.
Background
The bioeconomy has created a large number of jobs for the European Union. In the entire EU, approximately 1 out of every 12 jobs is supported by the bioeconomy, and the number of related employees reaches 17.1 million. In 2023, the total value of the EU's bioeconomy is estimated to be 2.7 trillion euros. This sector is also the fastest-growing industry within the EU and plays a significant role in environmental protection and promoting circular economic development.
In response to the relevant conclusions made by the Council on bioeconomy issues in 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2024-2029 strategic agenda of the European Council, the European Commission officially adopted the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy on November 27, 2025.
