Backed by a public-private partnership with the European Commission, BIC has supported over 200 research and innovation projects through the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Every euro of public funding has leveraged €3.50 in private investment, a model that Rupp says is “the envy of the world.”
Yet challenges remain. Despite the construction of more than 15 large-scale biorefineries, scaling up remains difficult due to high R&D costs and long investment cycles. Unlike tech or pharma, bio-based innovation rarely produces a “winner takes all” outcome, making venture capital harder to secure.
Rupp calls on EU policymakers to provide a clearer framework through instruments like the Bioeconomy Strategy, Biotech Act, and Clean Industrial Deal. With the US retreating from biomanufacturing, he argues Europe has a strategic opening to lead — if it acts decisively.
“The bioeconomy is vital for Europe’s sustainability, competitiveness and autonomy,” says Rupp. “Now is the time to make both today’s and tomorrow’s business case.”
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