Title:
Sustainable Use of and Value Creation from Renewable Resources in a Biobased Economy in Flanders - A Swot-analysis
Author(s):
Guisson, R., Uyttebroek, M., Diels, L., Pelkmans, L., Carrez, D., van Huylenbroeck, G., Verspecht, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This study aims to support the Flemish Government in developing its own strategy for a biobased economy (BBE) and to draft recommendations for an integrated and sustainable economic innovation policy. For this Flanders biobased assets were identified and used as the basis for defining policy choices for the BBE. The study reveals that the impact of the BBE is already significant in Flanders. The biobased industrial sectors already account for up to 9% of the gross margin of the Flemish industry and for ca. 6% of the employment. Another observation is that the Flemish BBE is growing in times where the importance of industry in the Flemish economy as a whole is losing ground. Almost half of the total gross margin from the BBE is generated by fine chemicals, biopolymers and bioplastics. Next to this the role of biomass as a renewable energy resource is, and will remain in the future, crucial for reaching the EU2020 renewable energy targets. Currently 75% of renewable power generation and no less than 95% of renewable heat generation comes from biomass. However, due to the considerable expertise Flanders possesses in collecting and processing waste, in the future Flanders could focus more on the quality enhancement of secondary streams from biomass-related industries before shifting to energy production at the end of the life cycle. In the field of research and innovation, several financing channels and expertise centers appear to exist in Flanders, although they are rather fragmented and mostly focused on fundamental scientific research lacking demonstrational funds. Furthermore, there is little cooperation between companies, especially between companies from different industrial sectors. One positive aspect is that several recent policy initiatives in Flanders have incorporated the aspect of the biobased economy, such as FISCH (Flanders Innovation Hub for Sustainable Chemistry) and Sustainable Materials Management. Given the aforementioned a detailed SWOT analysis was developed, based on existing literature, the input and experience of the various experts, and interviews with stakeholders from industry, research institutes, the authorities, the agricultural sector, and non-governmental organisations. The results of this SWOT analysis, together with previous conclusions, were used to draft a series of recommendations
Keywords:
biobased economy, BBE, Flanders, SWOT-analysis
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Biomass strategies and policies
Event:
21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
5AV.3.24
Pages:
1940 - 1945
ISBN:
978-88-89407-53-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-5AV.3.24
Price:
FREE
