Bio-based products and applications potential

A report of the review and assessment of the current market uptake and applications of bio-based products and their future potential. The activities under this Task focus on analysing the current market situation and future trends of bio-based products and their applications by collecting evidence regarding the capabilities, benefits and potential risks associated with the usage. From the early stages of the project, relevant studies and market reports focusing on bio-based products in general or having a ‘thematic’ orientation (i.e. relevant to the 5 Value Chains) deriving from the work under European and regional initiatives, including EU-funded projects, will be reviewed to identify: - The potential applications (market sectors) of bio-based products as well as their benefits and functionalities; - Case studies on practical solutions for end-consumers that cater to societal needs and concerns; - The market ‘maturity’ and potential at European and national level, i.e. penetration of bio-based products into the market and future trends; - The societal, environmental and economic impact of bio-based products with a view to identifying potential case studies of practical solutions; - Key actors involved in all phases of the development of bio-based products, namely ‘knowledge producers’ (i.e. researchers), technology/service providers and parts/products manufacturers. The results of this literature review will be reinforced by semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders to grasp their perception and concerns on the future of the relevant market. Overall, more than 40 interviews will be carried out with representatives of stakeholders involved in the development of bio-based products covering all 5 Value Chains that will be identified through the first phase of the analysis (literature view). Special attention will be given to understand their view on contribution of bio-based industries bring to communities in terms of jobs and economic growth, of welfare and wealth, as well as the level of end-customers’ engagement in a bioeconomy (the solution providers’ perspective). Q-PLAN will lead the literature review and prepare the guidelines and semi-structured questionnaires for the interviews, while all partners will contribute to the collection of information and share the effort of the carrying out the interviews. The outcome of the partners’ effort will be summarised in a short report titled “Bio-based products and applications potential” which will be prepared by M8 of the project. The aforementioned report along with all information collected (e.g. the various reports and case studies, insights on the market potential of bio-based products and their socio-economic and environmental impact, etc.) will form the knowledge base of the project. It will ‘feed’ the project activities and assist partners adjust their efforts to formulate the key messages and develop information and training material (activities under WP3 addressing the end-customers’ needs and concerns that will be identified during Task 2.2 activities. Moreover, using info-graphics and other visual representation techniques the project findings promoted through the Bio-W@tch platform and the project events.