Internationalization has been an important strategic component of the BioEconomy Cluster from the very beginning and was one of the explicit core tasks of the cluster management during the Leading-Edge Cluster funding period.

In 2015 the BioEconomy Cluster established Europe’s bioeconomy Intercluster 3BI along with Biobased Delta, BioVale and IAR. The common goal has been to advance the development of bio-based industries in Europe and facilitate the internationalization of its cluster members, in particular SMEs.

This corresponded remarkably with the objectives of the funding measure “Internationalization of Leading-Edge Clusters, Future Projects and Comparable Networks”, which, from February 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018, we were able to successfully utilize with “BEECHWOOD International” for an international research project concept with our international cluster partners. These include the Intercluster 3BI partners IAR, Biobased Delta and BioVale, as well as SARI (Shanghai Advanced Research Institute) and CLIC (CLIC Innovation Ltd.).

Strategic objectives of internationalization:

  • Faster expansion of the raw material and technology base (strategic objective) in conjunction with the transfer of know-how gained from the recovery of beechwood to other raw materials, and a sound evaluation of non-wood-based raw materials.
  • Faster market access for the intermediate and end products developed in the cluster.
  • Expansion of the cluster infrastructure by constructing and expanding demonstration plants for the production of biobased intermediate products, semi-finished products, composites and bioenergy sources.
  • Intensified use of biobased products in as many industries and markets as possible.
  • Integration into international cooperation projects of SMEs and research institutions active in the BioEconomy Cluster. This particularly applies to existing and potential cluster members who do not participate in funded projects during the subsequent implementation phase.
  • The continuity of Intercluster 3BI.

More information about the BEECHWOOD INTERNATIONAL project can be found under  Project overview.

The 3BI Bioeconomy Cluster

The leading bioeconomy clusters in the Netherlands, France, the UK and Germany have joined forces as the 3BI intercluster. Their goal is to support European companies to access important new markets based on renewable raw materials successfully.

Bioeconomy cluster

3BI (Brokering Bio-Based Innovation) is a strategic European partnership that builds on the complementary strengths of four regional innovation clusters: Biobased Delta, BioEconomy, BioVale and Industries & Agro Ressources (IAR). All four clusters use biorefining to convert biological resources into materials, chemicals, fuels, food and feed. They intend to work together in the research, development and deployment of novel high-tech approaches to the conversion of biomass and waste streams into value-added products and applications.

The production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into every day products such as food, feed, energy, chemicals and other materials is increasing rapidly. The bioeconomy creates new markets for innovative products across the globe. European companies need support if they are to access these important new markets successfully.  The 3BI intercluster represents a common intention to explore business linkages between the clusters and their members. 3BI helps European companies to make the most of new markets and new opportunities from the bioeconomy. The 3BI partners focus on growth, innovation and smart specialisation of their regions. Their goal is to promote sustainable solutions for lower carbon footprint and to substitute fossil raw materials in industrial scale.

Biobased Delta

Biobased Delta is an open innovation cluster based on a successful cross-over between the agro and chemistry sector with a focus on green feedstock, agro & food waste streams, green building blocks, such as bio-aromatics and functional molecules, and sustainable process technology. www.biobaseddelta.nl

BioEconomy Cluster

The BioEconomy Cluster is an open innovation cluster that focuses on the material use of renewable, lignocellulosic feedstock for innovative products and timber constructions, special and fine chemicals, biopolymers, biobased composites, automotive lightweight parts, packaging components, pulp and bioenergy. www.bioeconomy.de

BioVale

BioVale is an open innovation cluster that draws together Yorkshire and the Humber’s strengths of world-class research, industry and agriculture to facilitate innovation with a particular focus on valorisation of biowastes, high value chemicals from plant and microbes, lignocellulosic fuels and chemicals and agri-tech innovation. www.biovale.org

Industries & Agro-Resources (IAR)

IAR is an innovative cluster, bringing together stakeholders from the entire value chain (agriculture, agro, chemistry and materials industries) and developing cooperative R&I projects with industrial applications (€ 1.4 bn invested in the last 10 years), focusing mostly on four strategic areas: advanced biofuels, bio-chemicals, bio-materials and ingredients (food, feed). IAR is a major development player in the European bioeconomy, with a leading role in the European Bio-Based Industries PPP (BBI). www.iar-pole.com