BIOECONOMY GIANTS – bringing primary producers into the bio-based value chain

Unlocking the hidden value of Europe’s biomass

Europe’s bioeconomy depends on biomass, but much of its potential still remains underused. BIOECONOMY GIANTS starts from a clear challenge: agricultural, forestry and agri-food by-products are often undervalued or left unexploited, while farmers, foresters and other rural actors remain insufficiently connected to bio-based value chains.

From biomass suppliers to bioeconomy shapers

The initiative aims to change the role of primary producers. Instead of seeing them only as suppliers of raw material, BIOECONOMY GIANTS positions farmers, foresters and rural actors as central stakeholders in innovation, value creation and sustainable growth. Its focus is on building cooperation between primary producers and bio-based industries, so that underutilised biomass can become the starting point for new circular business models.

Cooperation as the missing infrastructure

What makes BIOECONOMY GIANTS especially relevant is that it does not focus on one single material or technology. It works on the enabling conditions needed for bio-based solutions to grow: collaboration, skills, funding, decision-making tools and new governance models. The initiative promotes cooperative and circular bio-based business models (CCBBMs) and supports new forms of collaboration between rural actors and bio-based industries.

To make cooperation actionable, BIOECONOMY GIANTS combines tailored capacity-building, direct financial support through Open Calls, and decision-making tools such as Impact Shift and Coompy. These tools are intended to help stakeholders assess impact, address governance aspects and design long-term cooperative circular bio-based business models.

Why it matters for a stronger bioeconomy

The initiative aims to engage over 80 primary producers and support the piloting and scaling of new bio-based solutions. Its expected outcomes include new value chains, new bio-based products, stronger cooperation models and greater investment in bio-based solutions.

For the wider bio-based ecosystem, BIOECONOMY GIANTS shows that the transition is not only about developing new materials, it is also about connecting the people, resources and business models that make those materials possible. By helping primary producers move closer to innovation and market creation, the initiative strengthens the critical mass needed for a more resilient, competitive and circular European bioeconomy.

Initiative facts

Programme: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe.
Duration: 1 June 2025 – 30 November 2027.
Website: Bioeconomy Giants – Fostering collaboration among primary producers and beyond to promote sustainable growth