Biobased industries aim to reach ressource efficient production and to foster economic growth and employment especially in agricultural regions. For this purpose cost competitve biorefineries have to be developed using progressive process technologies and energy supply systems for converting biomass to utilisable products as well as to source materials for energy production like methane or hydrogen.
The challenge is to demonstrate innovative technologies and develop business models integrating stakeholders along the whole length of the value chain, e.g. integrate supplyers of biomass used in biorefineries as well as well as consumers using bio-based materials, chemicals and fuels. The implementation of demo biorefineries, proving technologies and business models with regard to bio-based materials and demonstrating cost reduction and performance enhancement, is essential in this connection.

The current issue of the magazine “nachhaltige technologien“ provides some insights in European as well as national Austrian initiatives and research projects showing the relevance of sustainable circular economy.