Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/su11247235
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Resources, collaborators, and neighbors: The three-pronged challenge in the implementation of bioeconomy regions
Author Bezama, A.; Ingrao, C.; O'Keeffe, S.; Thrän, D.
Source Titel Sustainability
Year 2019
Department BIOENERGIE
Volume 11
Issue 24
Page From art. 7235
Language englisch
Keywords bioeconomy; systems assessment; regional management; life cycle thinking; regional bioeconomy; innovation; technological development; technological assessment
Abstract Over the last decade, the bioeconomy has become increasingly important and visible in
international policy agendas, with several strategies being recently developed. The implementation of
bio-based technologies mostly takes place on a regional scale. Therefore, from a regional perspective,
a key question revolves around what main challenges are associated with technological developments
that could catalyze the implementation of sustainable bioeconomy regions. In this study, a cross-cutting
analysis was carried out to determine these challenges. First, interviews were conducted with industry
practitioners and scientists working in the bioeconomy field. These interviews were supplemented
with a literature review to determine the status quo of bioeconomy strategies and their implementation,
particularly on a regional level. A multidisciplinary workshop was then organized to identify the
most relevant challenges in the short- and mid-term associated with establishing bioeconomy regions.
The results show that there is a three-pronged challenge in innovative technological development from
a regional perspective: (1) Resources: The establishment of sustainable regional feedstock strategies
and supplies for supporting the bio-industrial sector; (2) collaborators: The establishment of a regional
“critical mass” by fostering supply chain clusters and networks; and (3) neighbors: Understanding
the local dynamics of societal trends and preferences and social acceptance of bio-technologies and
their representative bio-based products.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=22566
Bezama, A., Ingrao, C., O'Keeffe, S., Thrän, D. (2019):
Resources, collaborators, and neighbors: The three-pronged challenge in the implementation of bioeconomy regions
Sustainability 11 (24), art. 7235 10.3390/su11247235