Apply to the EU CAP Network workshop ‘Circular bioeconomy – valorisation of forest by-products’
The EU CAP Network workshop ‘Circular bioeconomy – valorisation of forest by-products’ will take place from Wednesday 26 to Thursday 27 March 2025. The call for expression of interest is now open, please apply before 9 December 2024, 23:59 CET.
The EU CAP Network is organising a workshop on 'Circular bioeconomy – valorisation of forest by-products’.
If you are interested in participating, please apply to the call by completing the application form before 9 December 2024, 23:59 CET.
This workshop will explore innovations that support the development of value chains for high-value products derived from forest waste and residues. It will consider technological advancements, as well as innovations in governance, business, and cooperative models. The aim is to support robust value chains that facilitate a fair distribution of benefits to rural communities and foster a more effective circular bioeconomy in forestry.
The workshop will be developed around three main and interconnected building blocks:
- More traditional and well-established value chains, highlighting several examples such as the production of biochar, fibres, mulching material, pellets or wood composites, raw materials used for agriculture, incorporation into the soil, the furniture industry, and different types of energy production. Although these value chains are not new, they can still be improved, optimised, and enhanced, especially to benefit primary producers (foresters including forest managers, owners, and farmers) and rural communities in general.
- New, innovative value chains with the potential to generate higher added value and higher carbon sequestration, including the production of materials for the chemical industry (including bioplastics), the transport and food industries, the energy sector, and others. While still in the early stages in Europe, these new technologies and production methods represent a promising area for the circular bioeconomy in forestry, capturing attention from the private sector and other stakeholders. Some illustrative examples are the combined production of bioenergy, biochar and high-purity carbon dioxide (green carbon) or the production of biocoal and bioethanol.
- Experiences on business models, governance and cooperation, which support circularity, competitiveness, and job creation in rural areas, while promoting efficient and sustainable value chains and a fair distribution of revenues, especially for supply providers and rural communities. These could include examples of cooperatives, start-ups, and new business models, or regional and local bioeconomy hubs, networks, and strategies. Within these initiatives, it is particularly important to examine the role of primary producers (farmers and foresters). For example, instead of just providing raw materials, farmers and foresters could potentially carry out some primary processing activities that would give their products higher added value and improve their position in the value chain.
We are looking for all relevant value chain actors. Priority will be given to forest managers, forest owners and farmers, and foresters including their cooperatives and/or associations. Business companies and entrepreneurs, advisors and extension services, researchers, industry, and other actors such as local and managing authorities are also welcomed, as are any others interested in sharing their knowledge on the topic of circular bioeconomy and valorisation of by-products.
Because of the limited number of seats, it will not be possible to accommodate all requests for participation.
If you have been selected as a participant, you will receive a message by early January 2025 with a further request to register for the workshop.
For any questions, please contact workshop.innovation@eucapnetwork.eu.
