The development of new cross-sectoral bio-based value chains requires synergies and cooperation between various sectors, both along and across the value-chains, bringing all actors together, mobilizing the innovations and pulling the market by bringing new innovative products. However, the interaction among processes and stakeholders between previously unconnected sectors carries various challenges that in many cases constitute obstacles towards the development of new value chains and sustainable bio-based business models.
In this report an analysis was made in order to provide insight into the cooperation between the key actors of the bioeconomy market landscape putting emphasis on mapping the factors that hinder the collaboration amongst them and investigate how trust and confidence between them can be enhanced towards the market uptake of bio-based products. To this end, an attempt was made to identify the challenges that exist in the interaction among industry stakeholders, brand owners and retailers and consumers from each stakeholder’s point of view.
The analysis was conducted primarily through literature review of relevant studies, market reports, results and conclusions derived from EU-funded projects. The findings of the literature review were reinforced by qualitative interviews with key stakeholders of the bioeconomy domain (industry, brand owners, consumers’ representatives) which elicited their perception and concerns about the collaboration challenges that they face and which eventually hinder the bio-based market uptake.