Europe’s bioeconomy continues to expand, but scaling new technologies to industrial production remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. This is one of the key conclusions of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) Annual Report 2025, published on 4 March.
According to the organisation, improved access to finance, stronger market demand and consistent European policy frameworks will be essential to bring bio-based innovations to industrial scale.
BIC represents companies and research organisations active in industrial biotechnology, biomanufacturing and bio-based materials. By the end of 2025 the organisation counted 375 Industry Members and 340 Associate Members.
Valley between innovation and industry
In 2025, BIC reorganised its activities around three priorities: innovation and scale-up, access to finance, and policy support. The organisation aims in particular to address the two well-known “valleys of death” in the innovation chain.
According to BIC Executive Director Dirk Carrez, overcoming these barriers remains a central challenge for the sector. The first valley lies between research and demonstration. The second between demonstration and industrial production. The latter stage in particular often proves difficult to finance.
To stimulate investment, BIC partnered with the investors’ platform Tech Tour. During events in cities including Ghent (Belgium) and Wuppertal (Germany), dozens of start-ups and scale-ups presented their technologies to investors, banks and industrial partners. This reflects a broader discussion within the sector. At earlier Tech Tour events, speakers stressed that Europe must demonstrate it can scale bio-based innovations to commercial production. BIC also published a policy brief on financing biomanufacturing in Europe, outlining proposals to accelerate investment in demonstration plants and industrial production facilities.
European policy agenda
The development of the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy was another major theme in 2025. BIC participated in consultations and called for a stronger industrial dimension to Europe’s bioeconomy. According to BIC Chair Rob Beekers, the strategy’s success will ultimately depend on its implementation: “Europe’s bioeconomy will only reach its full potential if these challenges are addressed through clear, targeted and ambitious measures.”
Within the European Bioeconomy Alliance, which BIC chaired during the second half of the year, a study was also published examining the role of agricultural and woody biomass in the future feedstock supply for Europe’s chemicals and materials industries.
New technologies are increasingly part of this discussion. The sector is exploring the role of artificial intelligence as well as so-called dual-use innovations — technologies with both civilian and defence applications.
Leadership transition
The report also marks a leadership change within the organisation. After nearly fourteen years as Executive Director, Dirk Carrez has stepped down this week. He has been succeeded by Philippe Mengal, former Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), the predecessor of today’s Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).
According to BIC, 2026 will be a crucial year for implementing European bioeconomy policy and for scaling bio-based production across Europe.
See the BIC website for the 2025 Annual Report.
Image: BIC
