• Council of the EU
• Press release
• 17 March 2026 18:00

Bioeconomy: Council backs moving bio-based innovations from lab to production

Today, the Council approved conclusions on the new EU’s bioeconomy strategy. The Council conclusions welcome the vision for a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy by 2040, promote the use of bio-based and circular solutions across all relevant sectors – as fossil-free alternatives – and support innovation and investments.

Bioeconomy uses renewable biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms to produce food, energy and industrial goods.

The transformation led by bioeconomy is already tangible across Europe, from everyday bio-based products such as beeswax lip balm and linen textiles to cutting-edge materials like car parts from olive tree waste. With today’s Council conclusions, we say it loud and clear: competitiveness, sustainability and homegrown innovation must be at the core of the EU’s path toward a resilient bioeconomy by 2040 and Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Maria Panayiotou, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus
In its conclusions, the Council welcomes the EU bioeconomy strategy proposed by the Commission as a timely and essential step in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, prosperity and sustainability.

According to the Council conclusions, it is important to efficiently implement existing EU law that is relevant to the bioeconomy and update national actions with the strategy. The Council backs more innovation and measures to support investment in sustainable bio-based solutions, including faster approvals and simplified rules, as well as leading global action in bioeconomy.

Creating predictable demand for sustainable bio-based materials and technologies is essential to unlocking private investment. In this context, the Council stresses the need to identify and strengthen high-potential sectors (lead markets).

These lead markets should not be limited to the ones listed in the EU bioeconomy strategy (e.g. bio-based plastics, chemicals, construction products, fertilisers) but could also be extended to additional sectors, including footwear and textile, paper, or the blue bioeconomy (e.g. the use of algae and sponges).

According to recent reports, the EU is largely self-sufficient in biomass supply (at around 90%). The Council calls for ensuring sustainable biomass supply, as this is essential for the long-term viability of the bioeconomy.  It calls on member states to use biomass across value chains in a resource-efficient way that safeguards the environment and to promote the use of use of by-products, bio-waste and residues (secondary biomass).

Background

Across the EU, the bioeconomy supports nearly one in twelve jobs, with a workforce of 17.1 million. In 2023, the total value of the EU bioeconomy was estimated at €2.7 trillion **** and bioeconomy is identified as the fastest-growing sector in the Union, while safeguarding the environment and supporting circularity.

The updated EU bioeconomy strategy was adopted by the Commission on 27 November 2025 in response to Council conclusions from 2023 and 2024 on the matter and the European Council’s strategic agenda for 2024–2029.

• Council conclusions on the EU bioeconomy strategy
• EU bioeconomy strategy
• Council conclusions on potential Europe-wide R&I initiative on advancing sustainable natural resource management, food systems security and the deployment of the bioeconomy, harnessing the potential of Central and Eastern Europe
• Promoting a more sustainable, competitive and resilient Europe and boosting rural areas: Council approves conclusions on the opportunities of the bioeconomy (press release, 25 April 2023)
• Strategic agenda 2024-2029
• Exchange of views on the EU bioeconomy strategy – Information note (ENVI Council, 5 December 2025)
• Exchange of views on the EU bioeconomy strategy (agriculture, forestry and fisheries issues) – Information note (AGRIFISH Council, 12 January 2026)

Circular economy (background information) Circular economy (background information)

Food and farming (background information) Food and farming (background information)

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Topics
- Environment
- Competitiveness
- Climate
- Single market
- Pollution

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