The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) presents examples of LIFE projects that illustrate how bioeconomy solutions can turn waste and pollution into new business opportunities. The article recalls that the EU bioeconomy already generates significant value and employment but still has untapped potential, and it refers to the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy as a framework for further growth.

GR4SS in the Netherlands collects roadside grass clippings and processes them in anaerobic digesters to produce green biomethane, digestate fibres and soil-substitute materials. ZEBRA-LIFE in Spain recovers bio-aromatic compounds from “black liquor”, a pulp and paper by-product, to produce renewable additives with performance comparable to conventional products. MySOIL in France, Italy and Spain uses fungal-based bioremediation to treat soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons, with removal rates reported up to 90%. Together, the projects demonstrate how bio-based processes can deliver environmental benefits while creating new value chains, in line with several EU strategies