Facilitating the switch from fossil-based to bio-based production

The bioeconomy has an annual turnover of €2.3 trillion and employs 8.2% of the workforce in the European Union. Thus, it is vital to the EU’s economic success. At the same time, a wider adoption of bio-based approaches would bring huge environmental benefits.

Brand owners are among the main drivers of growth in the bioeconomy. Adopting bio-based approaches will stimulate related value chains and the commercialisation of bio-based products. BIOSWITCH devised solutions to address brand owners’ uncertainties about the bioeconomy by focusing on four fields: chemistry, forestry, food and agriculture.

BIOSWITCH aims at supporting European brand owners in switching to bio-based approaches from fossil-based ones.

Anna Tenhunen, BIOSWITCH coordinator

‘BIOSWITCH aims to support European brand owners in switching to bio-based approaches over fossil-based ones. To this end, the project develops communication tools, event concepts and life-cycle assessment tools. All these tools are collected into the BIOSWITCH toolbox,’ said BIOSWITCH coordinator Anna Tenhunen of the Finnish innovation cluster, CLIC Innovation.

A transitional toolbox

The BIOSWITCH toolbox helps brand owners transition from fossil-based to bio-based approaches. Its development was based on case studies examining good practices implemented by companies that had already undertaken the journey. Other tasks were also included to enable the BIOSWITCH partners to gain a clear understanding of the issues.

‘We conducted a pan-EU brand study and a regional consumer study to understand the needs, risks and motivations of these different but essential stakeholders. We also designed and hosted regional and pan-EU workshops to engage with multi-actor stakeholders and to co-develop solutions to overcome identified risks and barriers. Later in the project, we contributed to the BIOSWITCH toolbox content development, as well as replication activities,’ explained James Gaffey from the BIOSWITCH partner, Munster Technological University, in Ireland.

The case studies featured companies such as the German outdoor clothing manufacturer Vaude, the Belgian organic coffee roaster Bioco, the Danish toy and game maker Dantoy, the Spanish fruit and vegetable exporter La Unión, the Swedish nappy producer Naty, and Stora Enso, a Finnish/Swedish manufacturer of renewable materials for sectors including food and beverages, textiles, and construction.

The toolbox developed by BIOSWITCH includes a self-assessment test allowing brand owners to gauge the readiness of their companies to make the switch, as well as learning and awareness tools for companies starting the process. Also on offer are methods to accelerate the process for brands in mid-transition. Additional tools enable businesses that are close to completing their journey to derive maximum benefit from it. To provide further knowledge and inspiration, the toolbox contains resources from related initiatives, including the CBE JU-funded BIOBRIDGES, BIOCANNDO and BIOWAYS projects.

Adaptation through training

To support the use of the toolbox among business clusters and brand owners across Europe, a training programme was created. It included a roadmap with e-learning materials covering issues such as the benefits of bio-based approaches, value chain structures and key stakeholders, mobilisation of brand owners and funding and financing possibilities.

We conducted a pan-EU brand study and a regional consumer study to understand the needs, risks and motivations of these different but essential stakeholders.

James Gaffey, BIOSWITCH partner

Further features of the training were webinars and workshops on making the transition, use of the toolbox and bio-based plastics, textiles, chemistry and agri-food production. A train-the-trainer workshop was also held to ensure more widespread dissemination.

By encouraging brand owners to switch from fossil-based to bio-based production and commit to circular and sustainable business approaches, BIOSWITCH helps to cement Europe’s place at the forefront of the bioeconomy. In so doing, it contributes to revitalising rural communities, boosting innovation and creating new skills and jobs.