RoadToBio

Main objectives:

To create a roadmap for the chemical industry that shows the path to an overall 25 per cent share of bio-based products in the organic chemical industry, that meets societal needs in 2030 (as compared to 12 per cent in 2016).

The roadmap will contain two key components:

• An analysis of the most promising opportunities for the chemical industry to increase its bio-based portfolio, as well as the technological and commercial barriers and the hurdles in regulations and acceptance of society, governing bodies and the industry itself.
• A strategy, action plan and engagement guide to overcome any existing and anticipated barriers and hurdles.

RoadToBio’s first objective will be to create an overview of:

• The current status of the bio-based portfolio of the chemical industry, and how bio-based products can compete with fossil-based ones
• New markets (or chemical industry sectors) where bio-based feedstocks or intermediates can play a role
• The business case of several ‘sweet spots’ (the most attractive opportunities according to the priorities of the chemical industry)

The second explicit objectives are to create a series of dialogues with the chemical industry:

• Connecting different chemical companies (both bio- and fossil-based), to create support within the sector for jointly pursuing BBI targets
• Connecting the chemical industry with governmental organisations, to help communicate the chemical industry’s critical role as a driver of change into the bioeconomy (and the circular economy), and for the removal of regulatory hurdles

Connecting the chemical industry with non-governmental organisations, to help identify societal needs and show the benefits of bio-based products, with a view to increasing public awareness and trust

RoadToBio will seek to identify new opportunities for marketable bio-based products within several branches of the chemicals sector, specifically in the manufacture of:

• Agrochemicals
• Adhesives
• Cosmetics
• Lubricants
• Man-Made fibres
• Paints and Coatings
• Plastics
• Solvents
• Surfactants

RoadToBio will strengthen existing bio-based value chains and aid the development of new ones by connecting and expanding existing networks within the bioeconomy.

RoadToBio: Roadmap for bio-based raw materials in the chemical industry
April 2019
The BBI JU RoadToBio project published a new roadmap showing how the share of bio-based raw materials used in the European chemical industry can be increased to 25% or more by 2030.  Read more