In contrast to the current economic development model, which is based on the uncontrolled extractivism of natural resources, the bioeconomy seeks to provide goods and services sustainably across all economic sectors. Emerging technologies are expanding the areas in which a circular bioeconomy can transform our society.

According to the strategy adopted by the European Commission in 2012, designed to steer the European economy towards a more sustainable use of natural resources, the bioeconomy is an economic system that uses the earth’s biological resources and waste as inputs for food and feed production, as well as for industrial and energy production and the use of biological processes in a sustainable industry.

Since then, both the European Union and the OECD have implemented specific bioeconomy policies affecting various industrial sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food and renewable energy. Europe aims to accelerate the deployment of a sustainable bioeconomy model to maximise its contribution to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the Paris Agreement on climate change.

However, despite decades of investment, technological progress, and optimistic market forecasts, the transition to a bio-based economy still has a long way to go before it can offer a commercially viable alternative to the current dependence on fossil fuels in all facets of the economy.

A technology-driven bioeconomy

The World Economic Forum’s report “Accelerating the Tech-Driven Bioeconomy 2024” provides a detailed overview of how technology is transforming this sector and the opportunities and challenges ahead. Specifically, it examines how bioengineering and other technological advances create the perfect conditions for a bio-based economic transformation.

“The world is positioned better than ever before to accelerate the global transition to a bio-based economy. Capturing increasing quantities of carbon, tackling previously incurable diseases, delivering clean water, sustainably feeding a growing population, remediating environmental damage and reducing carbon emissions represent just a few areas for bio-innovation.”

According to the WEF study, done in collaboration with Capgemini, several converging technologies are revolutionising the bioeconomy. For example:

Gene editing through technologies such as CRISPR is being used in a wide range of applications, including the development of more resilient, productive and nutritious crops, and human medicine such as the elimination of infectious diseases. Unlike the technologies that preceded it, CRISPR has democratised genome engineering because it is easy to use and low cost.

Bioengineering is creating microorganisms designed to produce sustainable chemicals and fuels that are transforming industrial production. Biological engineers want to mimic biological systems to create products that can replace, or improve upon, some chemical and mechanical processes.

Digitalisation applied to precision agriculture using sensors and global positioning systems on machinery or using drones allows for more efficient and sustainable management of agricultural resources. On the other hand, the traceability of supply chains, thanks to blockchain technologies, guarantees better transparency.

Similarly, technologies for converting organic waste into bioproducts and bioenergy improve sustainability, thus contributing to the circular economy by reducing the use of non-renewable natural resources and minimising environmental impact.

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