The role of the bioeconomy in the European ambition

The bioeconomy covers a wide range of activities, including the primary sector and the industry. For this reason, it plays a key role in decoupling economic growth from the use of key resources (oil, potassium, proteins…) that will be replaced by bio-based products. Also, this transition shows high potential for boosting economic growth and enhancing rural development.

In this way, the bioeconomy helps to achieve the ambitions established in the “European Green Deal”. This document is the reference framework within the European Union in terms of sustainability and it is based on three main pillars:  eliminate net greenhouse emissions by 2050; decouple economic growth from resource use; and leave no one behind. The bioeconomy contributes to all of them.

To specify the role of the bioeconomy in these ambitions, the European Commission published the “European Bioeconomy Strategy”. This strategy includes 14 actions that seek to strengthen and scale up the biobased sectors, unlock investments, and to detect the ecological boundaries of the bioeconomy.

One of the most important areas in which the bioeconomy takes part is the plastic sector. Its economic, social, and environmental impact is out of doubt. In consequence, a specific strategy was published in 2018, “The common plastics strategy”. Among other objectives, this strategy sets that all plastics have to be reusable or recyclable by 2030.

We are far from this objective because the most used plastics in the food and pharma sectors cannot be recycled (multilayer plastics). Due to their excellent barrier properties, these multilayer plastics can not be replaced by other options and end up incinerated or in landfills.

The MANDALA project is developing a sustainable solution based on three pillars: eco-design, end-of-life, and adhesives with dual functionalities. If you want to know more, you can follow us on: