What is bioeconomy
In the context of intensifying global challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, ecosystem degradation, and growing dependence on fossil fuels, there is a growing need for fundamentally new economic models. One of the most promising among them is the bioeconomy. It offers a systemic approach to balancing economic development and sustainability, placing the sustainable use of renewable biological resources at its core, combined with scientific and technological innovations.
The bioeconomy is not merely a new form of agri-industry or energy policy—it is a strategic concept aimed at transforming economic systems by integrating biological processes, science, and technology in the production of food, materials, energy, and services. This makes it a strategic response to the need for integrated, sustainable, and innovative development. It provides economic opportunities, social equity, and protection of natural capital.
Theoretical framework and definitions
The bioeconomy is an interdisciplinary concept that integrates aspects of economics, ecology, biotechnology, agricultural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
Definitions
European Commission (2012; 2018): The bioeconomy includes the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy through sustainable technologies.
OECD (2009): The bio-based economy is one where biotechnology plays a key role in transforming industrial processes and developing new products.
FAO (2021): The bioeconomy encompasses activities that use biological resources, processes, and principles to provide goods and services within sustainable limits.
These definitions reflect different aspects—from the technological foundation to sustainable resource management and the socio-economic context.
Historical development of the concept
The concept of the bioeconomy emerged as early as the 1970s, with the work of Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, who emphasized the need for a “biophysical” foundation of economics. Over the past two decades, the concept has gained broader popularity, with various countries and international organizations developing strategies and programs for the advancement of the bioeconomy.
2005: The USA published the first national strategy for the bioeconomy.
2012: The EU adopted the first “Innovation Strategy for a Sustainable Bioeconomy.”
2018: The EU updated the strategy with a focus on the circular economy, local development, and ecosystem services.
Main pillars of the bioeconomy
Biological Resources
These are renewable resources derived from:
Agriculture (plants, crops, by-products);
Forestry (wood, biodegradable materials);
Marine and freshwater sources (fish, algae);
Bio-waste from households and industries.
Scientific and technological foundation
Biotechnologies – use of enzymes, microorganisms, and DNA technologies to transform resources;
Synthetic Biology – creating new bio-organisms and biosystems;
Digital Technologies – digitization of production, smart agriculture, big data;
Engineering Sciences – development of bioreactors, fermentation and bioprocessing systems.
Economic and social structures
The bioeconomy creates new value chains by:
Stimulating the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
Creating jobs in rural areas;
Promoting cooperative models, local platforms, and the sharing economy.
Sectors of application
The bioeconomy includes:
Agri-food industry – bio-foods, sustainable agriculture;
Forestry industry – biodegradable materials, bioenergy;
Bioenergy – biogas, bioethanol, biofuels;
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare – bioactive compounds, vaccines, biosensors;
Textiles and chemicals – bio-based fibers, polymers, biodegradable plastics.
Strategic importance for sustainable development
Link to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The bioeconomy contributes to:
SDG 2: Zero hunger – through precision agriculture;
SDG 7: Clean energy – through renewable sources;
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production;
SDG 13: Climate action;
SDG 15: Life on land.
Environmental benefits
Reduction of carbon emissions;
Conservation of biodiversity;
Reduction of pollution through biodegradable products.
Development of bioeconomy in Bulgaria
Natural and economic potential
Bulgaria possesses significant potential for the development of a bioeconomy due to its rich natural resources, diverse landscape and biodiversity, as well as traditions in agriculture and forestry. Over 50% of the country’s territory is agricultural land, and more than one-third is forested. The country also has well-developed agricultural regions with strong cultural traditions in sustainable farming, beekeeping, livestock breeding, and herbalism, which provide a basis for the development of regional bioeconomy products. Bulgaria’s biodiversity, including unique plant and animal species, offers raw materials for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food industries. In addition, the country is rich in agricultural, forestry, food-processing, and animal biomass waste—valuable resources for producing bioenergy and bioproducts. These factors provide a stable foundation for building sustainable bio-based value chains and for integrating the country into European and global markets for green products and technologies.
National and regional initiatives
Leading projects and institutional efforts
In the recent years, there has been a notable intensification of national and regional efforts to implement bioeconomy practices. One of the leading examples is the CAPBIO4BG project, within which the Agricultural University – Plovdiv established itself as one of the first institutions in Bulgaria to initiate systematic and long-term work aimed at developing scientific and applied capacity in the field of bioeconomy. The project includes the creation of knowledge networks, training sessions for researchers and professionals, forums, and consultations between science, business, and public administration. The university also served as the national coordinator for EIT Food initiatives in Bulgaria, actively contributing to the dissemination of innovations in agri-food systems and sustainable development. In 2023, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv hosted the launch event of the initiative “Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems,” organized in partnership with the European Commission and BIOEAST. The initiative is part of the New European Innovation Agenda and aims to establish 100 regional hubs across the EU. Its primary goal is to accelerate the deployment of sustainable and technology-driven solutions in the bioeconomy by fostering collaboration among the scientific community, industry, and public institutions—especially in Central and Eastern Europe. The university also contributes to this goal through its active participation in several international projects, such as MainstreamBIO, BIOLOC, COOPID, Rural BioReFarmeries, and others, which support the implementation of sustainable practices and the strengthening of innovation capacity in the bioeconomy.
Regional profiles and policies
An additional analysis presented by Georgiev, Zaimova, Branzova, Totev, and Mochurova-Georgieva (2020) in the publication “Analysis and Profile of the Status and Potential for Regional Bioeconomy Development” highlights regional disparities and specific opportunities for implementing bioeconomy models in Bulgaria. The study outlines the presence of favorable natural, social, and economic factors in different regions of the country and offers region-specific profiles, including available resources, human capital, scientific potential, and levels of entrepreneurial activity. The analysis emphasizes the need for regionalized approaches and strategic investments that reflect the specific characteristics and strengths of each territory.
Regional strategy: Stara Zagora
A notable example is the bioeconomy development strategy for the Stara Zagora region, developed under the BE-Rural project (2021). The document identifies priority areas such as the development of sustainable agriculture, production of functional foods, use of residual biomass, integrated resource management, and forestry. Emphasis is placed on creating networks and clusters, digitization, and collaboration among stakeholders—business, science, education, and local authorities. The region benefits from favorable climatic and natural conditions, as well as good infrastructure, creating a foundation for the development of a high-tech and sustainable bioeconomy. Among the main challenges are the lack of a national strategy, limited access to financing, and insufficient coordination between institutions.
National scientific program NNP-FOOD
A significant contribution in this direction is the National Scientific Program “Healthy Foods for a Strong Bioeconomy and Quality of Life” (NNP-FOOD), funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The program aims to promote scientific research and innovation in the agri-food sector, focusing on the production of healthy foods, the development of innovative agri-food value chains, and the improvement of quality of life. It includes four main components, covering climate change, ecosystem services, plant health and food safety systems, food quality, bioeconomy, and integrated regional development. The implementation period was from December 2018 to December 2021. It is coordinated by the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, in cooperation with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Agricultural Academy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv, and Trakia University – Stara Zagora. The program has the potential to enhance the sustainability of food systems in Bulgaria and contribute to the development of the regional bioeconomy by creating new technologies, jobs, and strengthening the country’s applied scientific base.
Analysis by BIOEASTsUP
The document “Summary Concept for the Development of a Strategic Bioeconomy Document: Bulgaria”, developed in 2023 under the BIOEASTsUP project (Horizon 2020), outlines a comprehensive framework for a national bioeconomy strategy through a cross-sectoral analysis. In 2016, as part of the EU Strategy to stimulate regional development and the formulation of national bioeconomy strategies, the BIOEAST governmental initiative was launched, involving 11 countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Later, under the umbrella of this initiative, the BIOEASTsUP project was launched under the Horizon 2020 programme. The analysis highlights significant opportunities in high value-added sectors such as biofertilizers, essential oils, and functional foods. The document outlines a concrete action plan and emphasizes the need for political will and interinstitutional cooperation to support the transition toward a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy.
Center of Competence “Agri-Food Systems and Bioeconomy”
The center, led by the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv, is funded under the program “Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation”. It brings together the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, the Agricultural Academy, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, the Medical University – Plovdiv, the Forest Research Institute – Sofia at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology – Sofia, and the Space Research and Technology Institute – Sofia at BAS.
The aim is to establish a modern multidisciplinary scientific complex with infrastructure in agroecology, plant health, precision breeding, food science, and bioeconomy. The center is structured into three core areas – “Agroecology and Breeding,” “Plant Health,” and “Food and Health” – which will offer high-tech research and solutions in sustainable agriculture, food safety and authenticity, and the valorization of by-products. The center will support the transition toward a circular bioeconomy, a sustainable food system, and increased competitiveness of the sector.
Regional Bioeconomy Hub – Plovdiv
An example of such an integrated regional approach is the establishment of the Regional Bioeconomy Hub in Plovdiv at the end of 2023. The hub emerged as a result of the long-term efforts of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv and its partners through numerous national and international projects. It brings together academic institutions, local authorities, business structures, non-governmental organizations, and research centers.
The main objectives of the hub are to promote collaboration, education, technology transfer, innovation capacity building, and the development of sustainable bio-based solutions in key sectors such as agriculture, bioenergy, and the food industry. Priorities include strengthening local value chains, advancing educational and entrepreneurial initiatives, and enhancing communication with European networks and initiatives in the field of bioeconomy.
Challenges and the need for a national strategy
Despite this progress, Bulgaria still lacks a comprehensive national bioeconomy strategy. The absence of a unified vision, coordinating body, and long-term political framework poses serious obstacles to the systematic development of the sector. Although there are many local and institutional initiatives, there is a lack of integration among them, as well as mechanisms for sustainable funding and a national framework for applying research and innovation results.
It is necessary to establish a cross-sectoral coordination structure that unites the efforts of ministries, academia, business, and civil society, along with a legislative and strategic framework that fosters long-term investments, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the bioeconomy. Only through coordinated efforts at the national and regional levels can Bulgaria realize its full potential in this strategic domain.
Among the main challenges are: limited scientific capacity, weak coordination, and insufficient utilization of by-products. Strategic priorities include: the development of biotechnology and green chemistry, valorization of waste, strengthening the science-business link, and the creation of an institutional body such as a National Bioeconomy Council. Political will and effective coordination are crucial for the transformation toward a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy.
