To help build a resource-efficient, circular and biobased economy, the Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) has announced its new Strategic and Research Agenda (SIRA). The SIRA identifies the activities needed to speed up the development of sustainable and competitive biobased industries in Europe.

The updated SIRA addresses the technological and innovation challenges facing the biobased industries, takes a ‘multi-value-chain’ approach and integrates new feedstocks such as aquatic based sources, bio-waste (including from food processing) and CO2. It also considers the aims of BIC’s newest members, as well as technology and market developments since the first Agenda was adopted in 2013. The SIRA identifies the research and innovation actions needed to deliver tangible and increasingly ambitious environmental, social and economic benefits by 2020 and 2030.

Biobased value chains are at the heart of the SIRA, which is founded on four key pillars:

• Fostering a supply of sustainable biomass feedstock for both existing and new value
chains
• Optimising efficient processing for integrated biorefineries through research,
development and innovation (R&D&I)
• Developing innovative bio-based products for identified market applications
• Creating and accelerating market uptake of bio-based products and applications

For additional information, please contact:
Suzy Renckens
BIC Public Affairs & Communications
suzy.renckens@biconsortium.eu