Overview
The bioeconomy encompasses the production of biomass, its conversion into food, materials, and products, as well as the generation of bioenergy.
It is essential for the EU to reach its climate and energy goals by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, while combating biodiversity loss and pollution.
The Strategy for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy aims to capitalise on the biotechnology revolution and follows the 2012 and 2018 strategies, which achieved significant progress in research and innovation.
The bioeconomy has the potential to advance the EU’s environmental goals and develop a circular economy without damaging nature.
This strategy for economic growth aligns with the Competitiveness Compass, Clean Industrial Deal, and Vision for Agriculture and Food.
Objectives
The Strategy for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy aims to boost innovation and support European companies in making a success of the green transition. Circular and sustainable production, and consumption of biological resources for materials and services, can increase efficiency and reduce pressure on resources.
The strategy will help make EU businesses more competitive and increase green jobs – without damaging nature. It will be aimed at European farmers, foresters, industry and businesses, particularly SMEs and startups in rural and coastal areas.
The main goals of the strategy are:
- Ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU bioeconomy and investment security. Identifying measures to scale up and commercialise existing and emerging biotech solutions and bio-based products.
- Increasing resource-efficient and circular use of biological resources. Transforming the use and valuation of biomass resources, prioritizing extended high-value applications while encouraging industries and consumers to embrace circular practices.
- Securing the competitive and sustainable supply of biomass, both domestically and from outside EU. Strengthening the role of primary producers, generating wealth in rural areas by creating jobs and diversifying incomes for foresters and farmers and rewarding them for the preservation of ecosystems.
- Positioning the EU in the rapidly expanding international market for bio-based materials, biomanufacturing, biochemicals, and agri-food and biotech sectors. This will be done, in particular, by steering existing foreign policy mechanisms.
Actions
The Strategy for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy was published on 27 November 2025. More information is available here, along with a Q&A and factsheet.
The Strategy is based on the insights received during a public consultation, a high-level Dialogue with Commissioner Roswall, and several targeted stakeholder workshops.
Watch the video below to see how the bioeconomy works.
Monitoring
The Commission will continue to monitor the bioeconomy’s development through the EU Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy and the Bioeconomy Monitoring System. It will further improve these systems.
The progress of the measures proposed will be continuously monitored, and the Commission will assess their implementation four to six years after the adoption of the strategy.
You can also read a Joint Research Centre brief that focuses on the economic value of the bioeconomy, including employment and innovation.
Success stories
Two EU-funded projects are leading the way in lowering plastic waste, increasing circularity and showing that bio-based products are the future.
Dutch company Diversey is demonstrating the potential of bio-based ingredients through its plant-based cleaning products.
A company called 3R-BioPhosphate Ltd. is pioneering a new approach to resource utilisation by developing and deploying industrial-scale solutions to upcycle unused biomass.
Contact
For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.
Latest news
The Commission presented its plans for the future of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), adopted as part of the European Affordable Housing Plan.
It also adopted rules to implement the EU-wide voluntary certification framework for carbon removal and carbon farming.
The initiative aims to increase innovation and support European companies in making a success of the green transition.