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 February 2019, Biobridges project performed an analysis on the cooperation challenges among consumers, brand owners and bio-based industry as well as the good practices for multi-stakeholder and cross-sector interconnections. In June 2019 the results of this analysis were discussed in detail with experts from the bioeconomy sector in the project’s focus group co-creation workshop held in Brussels, BE. During this one-day event more than 20 experts shared ideas on:

• the most marketable bio-based application fields;
• the challenges that affect the collaboration in the value chain;
• the stakeholders needed to be mobilized and cooperate; and
• the actions needed in order to strengthen their collaboration.

The Biobridges Focus Group considered that the challenges have been well identified but the importance and significance of the challenges may differ based on the application field.

Moreover, it is evident that the most significant challenges that affect the collaboration among the stakeholders are related to feedstock availability and quality as well as the public awareness and demand. Likewise, functionality and performance are key factors to compete with the fossil-based products and are directly linked to the feedstock quality.

In addition, it seems that in order to address the challenges within the value chain the support of researchers and policy makers (“the supporting environment”) is highly required, and strong networks/clusters need to be formed involving all type of actors of the chain.

The model validated and the recommendations derived by the Biobridges Focus Group Workshop will feed the content of the Biobridges co-creation events and activities that will engage and bring together representatives from the key stakeholders’ group aiming to establish strategies and novel collaborations.

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