The European unio has unveiled its Strategy for a Competitive and Sustainable Bioeconomy, aiming to harness biotechnology to support climate and energy goals and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The strategy seeks to drive innovation, boost competitiveness, and foster a circular economy while protecting biodiversity and limiting pollution.

Objectives of the strategy

The strategy focuses on increasing resource efficiency, promoting circular use of biological materials, and strengthening the domestic and global supply of biomass. It aims to support farmers, foresters, SMEs, and startups in both rural and coastal areas, creating jobs, diversifying incomes, and rewarding sustainable ecosystem management.

Key goals include:

• Scaling up and commercialising emerging biotech solutions and bio-based products
• Transforming the use of biomass for high-value applications and encouraging circular practices
• Securing a sustainable supply of biomass, domestically and internationally

Positioning the EU in the global bioeconomy market for biomanufacturing, biochemicals, agri-food, and biotechnology

Actions and monitoring

The strategy was published on 27 November 2025 following a public consultation that concluded in June. Targeted stakeholder workshops are planned to explore how to accelerate innovation, improve financing, enhance circularity, and ensure sustainably sourced biomass.

“Europe’s bioeconomy strategy is set to turn innovation into sustainable growth, giving biotech and fermentation a pivotal role in our future food system.”

The Commission will continue to monitor progress through dedicated bioeconomy monitoring systems and will assess implementation within four to six years of adoption.

Opportunities for industrial biotechnology

The EU bioeconomy strategy presents a timely context for companies exploring fermentation-based and alternative protein solutions. Producers face pressures to scale operations efficiently, maintain consistent quality, and adopt technologies that reduce waste and optimise yields.

Precision analytical tools, such as automated mass spectrometry, are increasingly applied in this space, offering real-time insights into gas composition, process efficiency, and yield optimisation.

For a deeper look into how these tools can help biofood producers meet the demands of a growing bioeconomy, join our upcoming webinar. Gain insights from Professor Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins, and Daniel Merriman, mass spectrometry expert at Thermo Fisher Scientific, as they share practical strategies for implementing process analytical technologies in fermentation-based production.