Catalan Bioeconomy Strategy EBC2030
About this good practice
The Bioeconomy Strategy of Catalonia 2030 (EBC2030), led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Catalan Government, was approved in September 2021. It aims to foster a sustainable and circular economy rooted in the efficient use of local biological resources. Its objectives include stimulating economic development, creating quality jobs, and reinforcing sovereignty in materials and energy, while preserving natural resources and reducing emissions.
The regional authority plays a key role in leading and managing the strategy through a transversal team that coordinates actions across sectors. The EBC2030 is implemented via triennial action plans, structured around four strategic value chains: sustainable forest management, valorisation of livestock manure and organic waste, reuse of food chain by-products, and resilient landscapes with strong ecosystem services.
Among its initiatives, the EBC2030 supports the development of biorefineries to boost bio-based materials, including bioplastics, a key area in reducing plastic dependency. Through knowledge transfer hubs, business support (BioHubCat), and public-private collaboration, the strategy builds regional capacity and encourages replication. Political decision-makers can draw on this experience to promote similar models in their own territories, making the EBC2030 a referent in sustainable bioeconomy policy.
Resources needed
Most actions are carried out using budgets of various units. The funding sources include own resources, European funds (ERDF, EAFRD, NGEU), Climate Fund,(CO2 tax on vehicles) Waste Tax, Water Tax, Natural Heritage Fund.
1,5 employees + staff and consultants contracted
€0,5 M annual budget
Evidence of success
CBS mobilised a public investment of €310m to accelerate the transition towards a circular and sustainable economy. Key achievements: development of the Forest Hub, which integrates a biorefinery for forest biomass valorisation. The BioHubCat was also launched to accompany companies in overcoming innovation and market barriers. Other impactful actions include the promotion of RDI projects, improved access to biomass for industrial use, and support for the creation of new business models.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Catalan Bioeconomy Strategy (EBC2030) offers a strong model for regions aiming to boost the development of bioplastics through a coordinated and place-based approach.
A key success factor is its governance: the strategy is led through a cross-cutting team that brings together different departments and sectoral policies. This transversal leadership ensures policy coherence, efficient resource use, and alignment with territorial needs.
By combining investment, innovation support, and infrastructure—such as BioHubCat and the Forest Hub’s biorefinery—the strategy creates an enabling ecosystem for bioplastics and other bioeconomy initiatives. Its structure makes it a transferable and scalable model for other regions. It is very important to engage the different government services involve in bioeconomy issues: agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forest, food, environment, business, etc.
Further information
Documents
EBC2030_EN.pdf
Website
Good practice owner
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