The bioeconomy as a tool for sustainable economic growth D. Manuel Lainez

Abstract

Technological development has made it possible to diversify the products obtained in the framework of the bioeconomy, from food, to forest products, textiles, energy, extracts, active compounds and a wide range of bioproducts. The new socio-economic context, in which it is essential to decarbonize and promote the circular economy, has furthered the development of the circular bioeconomy, especially within the new framework of the European Union Green Deal. The use of biomass generated in Spain, especially residual biomass from the agri-food, forestry and urban spheres, both from MSW and sewage sludge, constitute an opportunity for economic development. The technologies that are being developed make it possible to obtain basic chemical compounds, fuels, biopolymers, and compounds apt for different types of activities and functions, potential raw materials for new economic activity. The challenges and opportunities involved in the development of the bioeconomy in Spain are analyzed, as well as the need to carry out an analysis of the life cycle of the products that are going to be placed on the market, both those for end consumers and those supplied to industrial sectors. Traditional industrial sectors, such as energy, waste management, textiles, construction, packaging, motor vehicles, machinery and equipment, can represent opportunities for business for activities linked to the bioeconomy through the generation of bioproducts.