The EU CAP Network workshop 'Circular bioeconomy - valorisation of forest by-products' took place in Kouvola (Finland) from Wednesday 26 to Thursday 27 March 2025. This workshop explored innovations that supported the development of value chains for high-value products derived from forest waste and residues. Horizon Europe projects BioRural and MainstreamBIO are actively advancing the forest-based bioeconomy by developing innovative bio-based solutions through sustainable resource utilisation.

With the global demand for sustainable resources on the rise, the forestry bioeconomy emerges as a key player in addressing climate challenges and fostering economic growth. Horizon Europe projects BioRural and MainstreamBIO are actively advancing the forest-based bioeconomy by developing innovative bio-based solutions through sustainable resource utilisation. These projects are strengthening small-scale producers and rural communities, particularly in the forestry sector.

One of the BioRural project results is the European Rural Bioeconomy Network (ERBN), thanks to which farmers and foresters benefit from business blueprints, online tutorials, factsheets, bioeconomy inventories and other practical tools. Additionally, the BioRural toolkit offers farmers and foresters access to success stories, practical summaries, and collaboration ideas.

A success story from the BioRural toolkit is using sheep wool to protect young forest stands from forest animals. Latvian company Biolana took on the challenge of recycling sheared wool, transforming it into a product that met the needs of the Latvian State Forests. The wool can easily be spread manually in the forests and deters forest animals as it retains its natural smell. The wool is suitable for use in damp conditions and offers a more environmentally friendly protective measure. Seeing the potential for wool to be used in forest protection, sheep farmers recognised an opportunity to turn what was once waste into a source of income. Understanding the broader implications of their work, the Latvian State Forests prioritised sharing their findings and methods, not just within their immediate ecosystem but also with the global forestry community. Through this knowledge sharing, farmers are inspired to adopt these best practices and apply them to their own farms.