D1.5 - Identified regional needs and challenges

This report examines the key resources and needs of the bioeconomy with respect to primary production in six representative regions of the European Union. The report identifies the resources available in each region, their current uses and practices and the needs and potential improvements required to enhance circularity and sustainability. The purpose of the report is to prioritise these needs to increased adoption of circular practices to feed into Task 2.2 assessment of bio-based technologies (BBTs) available in each region. A methodology was designed to create a Forestry and Agricultural Network (FAN) in each representative region (RR). The purpose of these regional FANs were to bring together experts working in the bioeconomy sphere, from primary production (i.e. farmers, forester etc.), to industry stakeholders, such as those working in biomass processing, and research and policy in (e.g. Governmental Policy Departments) order to identify the key regional resources and processing needs in each region. Events, referred to as ‘workshops’ were held in each region. A methodology was developed prior to these workshops in which a predetermined set of questions were posed to FAN members and in depth discussions ensued in order to identify these regional resources, as well as the processing needs in the region. Indeed, any regional needs which facilitate the adoption of biomass valorisation were discussed among FAN members in these workshops, ranging from processing needs, infrastructural and funding needs, as well as social perception and acceptance towards biomass adoption. Furthermore, the biomass processing needs in each region were prioritised based on their relative priority in order to enhance transition towards more bio economic circularity in each region. These workshops, depending on the region took place either as in-person, online, or hybrid format. The workshops were successful in characterising the regional resources and prioritisation of needs, and provided a detailed synopsis of the variation in both across the six RRs being analysed. The workshops also brought together a diverse range of experts working in the bioeconomy sphere in each region, further enhancing collaboration, both within each RR, and across the six EU member state regions.

A significant outcome of the workshops was the successful characterised of available resources by region and included, in Ireland for example, livestock manures (cattle and pig slurry), agricultural residues (straw, horticultural waste), food waste, and forestry residues (tree branches), while in Spain forest pruning residues (pine, eucalyptus), agricultural residues (olive stones, pruning residues), and various organic wastes being identified. Greece also identified forest residues, particularly chestnut coppicing, along with greenhouse plant biomass and sheep wool, along with biomass generated from olive production. In Italy, by-products (chestnut skin, olive stones, and olive mill effluents), forest resources, and uncultivated land were identified, and potential for utilising uncultivated land for bioeconomic activities identified. In Poland agricultural residues (straw, fruits and vegetables press waste), manure, and timber formed the greatest resources, while in the Czech Republic, plant and forest wastes, organic wastes from industrial production, and fast-growing woody plants were identified with a strong emphasis on the use of forestry and plant wastes.

The greatest regional needs predominantly referred to better infrastructure for processing of materials into utilisable by products, such as anaerobic digester (AD) plants, composters and root and debris harvesting equipment in the forestry sectors. Other principle needs for the increased adoption of circular processes included increased local and governmental support and funding in order to increase the adoptability and feasibility of investment in appropriate processing technologies for primary producers in order to encourage circularity in each region. Key waste streams are identified in the context of incorporation into AD and compost in order to improve utilisation efficiency and circularity. The report highlights the importance of existing regional resources available, and also the challenges and barriers associated to social transitioning towards a circular bioeconomy. Importantly, the document also explores social aspects such as discussion around ways in each region to encourage participation by social minority groups, the youth and the unemployed, as well as ways by which to empower women. A number of key means to achieving this social diversity are outlined for each region.