The textile industry is at a turning point. While global demand for fibres continues to rise, there is also a growing awareness that the unlimited use of fossil raw materials is no longer sustainable. A recent webinar organised by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) focused on the necessity and possibilities of a large-scale transition to bio-based textiles.

Europe needs to pick up the pace with the bioeconomy now that other parts of the world are making significant investments in bio-based innovation and production. Both large industrial enterprises and governments, as well as start-ups and scale-ups, play an important role. This became clear during the Tech Tour Circular Programme 2025 on 24th April in Ghent, Belgium.

Once again, a French student team has won European finals of BISC-E. In this annual competition, student teams are challenged to find bio-based solutions to environmental, societal or economic problems.