Acceptance factors among consumers and businesses for biobased sustainability schemes

 The emergence of the bioeconomy is an important result of the need for a more sustainable economy for the 21st century. However, achieving the paradigm shift from the established fossil-based economy toward a bio-based economy is an ambitious goal. To accelerate the shift, consumers need to understand how and where scientifically proven “sustainability” outputs are available. This will allow sustainability to become a successful market driver. The present study focuses on the market assessment of bio-based products, to gain insight into which sustainability aspects are important to stakeholders. It summarizes the results of different foresight methods, including a two-round Delphi survey, to identify sustainably assessment preferences of end-consumers and professionals and their influence on buying decisions. The results show that both private individuals and professionals consider a broad spectrum of criteria important for sustainability. Being able to prove and communicate that sustainability criteria are met will be a key acceptance driver for bio-based products.