The SCALE-UP project is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its participation at Bio360, held on 5 and 6 February 2025 at Nantes, France. The international trade fair, dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy, drew more than 450 exhibitors and 40+ conferences featuring pioneering solutions in bio-based materials, circular agriculture, and renewable energy.

Dynamic Presence at SCALE-UP Stand

SCALE-UP’s presence at Stand G28 offered a dynamic space for showcasing solutions in biomass valorization and sustainable resource management. Farmers and industry professionals alike converged at the stand to explore new market opportunities, discuss regulatory challenges, and forge partnerships.

Conference Spotlight: “Scaling-Up Innovations in Bioeconomy”

On 6 February, SCALE-UP hosted a well-attended conference titled “Scaling-up Innovations in Bioeconomy: A Lever for Europe’s Green Transition and Rural Development.”

• Five Entrepreneurs from France, Spain, and Poland showcased how agricultural by-products—ranging from hemp and straw to olive residues and apple pomace—can be turned into high-value, eco-friendly products such as insulation materials, biochar, biopolymers, and functional foods.
• A lively discussion, facilitated by by Gerardo Anzaldua from Ecologic Institute, offered insights into market entry, funding mechanisms, and policy enablers crucial to scaling up these promising ideas.

Flagship Bio-Based Innovations

Among the many innovations supported by the SCALE-UP project, five solutions were highlighted on-site at Bio360, each demonstrating how local resources can be turned into impactful products:

1. ANDALTEC (Spain) – COMPOLIVE Spin-Off

Develops bio-composites from olive tree pruning residues, already prototyped for the automotive and furniture sectors.

2. BIOLIZA (Spain)

Converts olive waste into biochar and syngas using advanced pyrolysis and gasification, enabling companies to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

3. Atelier du Biosourcé (France)

A cooperative hub that pools resources and expertise to integrate plant-based materials into Normandy’s construction industry.

4. COPANO (France)

Manufactures low-tech straw insulation panels, requiring no binders or chemical additives, for both new construction and retrofit applications.

5. Biocircular Apple Farm (Poland)

An educational orchard serving as a testbed for circular bioeconomy solutions, from innovative product development to hands-on training programs.

Beyond Bio360

While these five innovations took center stage at Bio360, SCALE-UP also supports a wide range of other regional initiatives underscoring the breadth of Europe’s bioeconomy:

Northern Sweden

• Reselo: Extracts suberin from birch bark to produce fossil-free rubber.
• Wood Fuel Network: A social innovation to restart logging residue extraction through coordinated value-chain mobilization.

Mazovia, Poland

• Apple Pomace Innovations: Creating healthy, functional products from apple by-products.

Strumica, Macedonia

• Bio-Compost Machine: Converts organic waste into fertilizer, reducing pollution.
• Machine for Fine Grinding Residues: Produces bio-fertilizer by breaking down plant waste.

Upper Austria

• SUN Project (Velvety Manufaktur GmbH): Protein extraction from sunflower press cake for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Streuobstwerkstatt e.U.: Maximizing returns for farmers through high-value uses of meadow orchards.

Launch of the MetaCluster on Social and Ecological Innovation

A major milestone during Bio360 was the official launch of the MetaCluster on Social and Ecological Innovation in the Bioeconomy (metaCSEI). This new, voluntary partnership unites the six SCALE-UP regional platforms, the broader Community of Practice, and other innovation agents committed to fostering bio-based social and ecological innovations—particularly in rural development contexts.

• Governance & Roadmap: The metaCSEI will establish a governance structure, decision-making processes, and a three-year roadmap outlining multiple funding possibilities.
• Registration with ECCP: Following the signing of the meta cluster agreement, metaCSEI will be registered with the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) to elevate its visibility and expand collaborative opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The enthusiastic response at Bio360 underlines the mounting momentum for the bioeconomy as a key pillar of Europe’s green transition. By providing a suite of tools, networking opportunities, and advisory services, SCALE-UP empowers regions to convert local biomass and co-products into market-ready solutions, balancing environmental imperatives with economic viability.

“Our conference and stand at Bio360 clearly showed how regional innovations, collaborative networks, and bold entrepreneurial efforts can accelerate the shift to a circular bioeconomy. We look forward to continuing this work and expanding our community of practice across Europe.” — SCALE-UP Project Coordinator