The new EU Bioeconomy Strategy: an opportunity for the blue sector

On 27 November, the European Commission published its new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, setting out its vision for how biological resources and bio-based innovation will drive Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and decarbonization over the coming decades.

The strategy recognizes the bioeconomy as a major economic force, already worth up to €2.7 trillion, employing over 17 million people across the EU and playing a central role in achieving climate neutrality, strategic autonomy and circularity.

A renewed push for competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy

Building on the 2012 and 2018 bioeconomy strategies, the new framework shifts the EU’s focus firmly towards scaling up innovation and strengthening markets for sustainable bio-based products. The Commission underlines the need to accelerate the transition away from fossil resources, increase Europe’s resilience and support rural and coastal communities through strengthened biomass-based value chains. The Commission’s overarching goal is to make Europe a global leader in competitive, circular and sustainable bio-based solutions by 2040.

The strategy is based on four pillars:

1. Scaling up innovation and investment by removing barriers and hurdles
2. Developing lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies
3. Ensure sustainable and resilient biomass supply through better biomass management, increased circularity and nature conservation.
4. Strengthen global partnerships and market access by facilitating access to global markets and shaping the global agenda for a sustainable bioeconomy.

A special role for fisheries, aquaculture and the wider blue bioeconomy

The new strategy recognizes that aquatic biomass and marine resources hold key potential for diversifying the EU bioeconomy and increasing resilience. It highlights several key initiatives relevant to the fisheries, aquaculture and marine ingredients sectors, such as:

• Strengthening the sustainable supply of aquatic biomass

The Communication recognises that fishers and aquaculture producers, together with farmers and foresters, are important biomass suppliers and that aquatic resources, if developed sustainably, can make a significant contribution to a more diverse and resilient EU biomass base.

• Implementation of the EU Aquaculture Guidelines and the EU Algae Initiative
• Launch of a dedicated Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative (2026-2027)

One of the announcements is the creation of an EU Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative, already mentioned in the Ocean Pact and supported by Horizon Europe funding. Planned actions include unlocking under-used side streams from fisheries and aquaculture, supporting the development of marine-based value chains, and creating new circular applications for marine by-products, an area where the marine ingredients industry is already a leader.

The need to fully involve the blue sector in implementation

EFFOP welcomes the publication of this updated bioeconomy strategy and its stronger focus on circularity and sustainable biomass use. The recognition of aquatic resources, fisheries, aquaculture and marine byproducts as an integral part of the EU bioeconomy is an important step forward, but it is not enough if it is not translated into concrete actions.

The blue sector must be fully and effectively involved in the implementation of the strategy. The marine ingredients industry, which is central to circularity, nutrient recycling and Europe’s strategic autonomy, must be recognized as a key partner in building a resilient and sustainable European bioeconomy.

We look forward to seeing this strategy put into practice and urge the Commission to ensure that resources harvested from our oceans and aquaculture products are fully exploited in the best possible markets.