TransBIB presents: Euroregion Grand Est

Grand Est - Strategic pioneer of the European bioeconomy

The French region of Grand Est has developed into one of the most dynamic bioeconomy regions in Europe in recent years. With a strategically sound, politically supported and economically driven transformation process, Grand Est has been pursuing the goal of taking a leading role in the development of bio-based value chains since 2019 - and is well on the way to achieving this goal.

Structural prerequisites and setting the political course

As France's most important agricultural region (leading in beer, sugar and wine production, among others) and the country's second-largest industrial centre, Grand Est has a broad raw materials base and an efficient industrial ecosystem. The first projects in the field of biogas and material utilisation of renewable raw materials were already implemented in the early 2000s.

The initial political impetus came in 2019 with the adoption of the regional bioeconomy strategy 2019-2022, which provided a structured framework for a comprehensive reorganisation of the economic structure. The strategy was underpinned by a multi-year development plan and endowed with 35 million euros in public funding each year.

The strategic priorities include

1. Expansion of bioenergy via fermentation technologies

2. Promotion of integrated biorefineries

3. Development of marketable bio-based materials

4. Investment in research and development

5. Strengthening of regional cooperation structures

This structured approach aims to transform the entire value chain - from primary production to industrial processing - from an ecological, technological and economic perspective.

Innovation ecosystem with a clear focus on research

A key success factor of the Grand-Est strategy is the targeted promotion of research infrastructures, technology transfer and cluster formation. The following should be emphasised:

• CEBB (Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie): Interface for applied research and industrial implementation

• INRAE: Central research institution in the field of agricultural, environmental and food research

• Université de Haute-Alsace, ENSTIB (Épinal) and the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, with the interdisciplinary cluster AEBB (Agro-Sciences, Environment, Biotechnology and Bioeconomy)

The region around Reims in particular is increasingly developing into a research centre for bioeconomy, with a strong focus on integrated process chains, sustainable molecules, biomaterials and biotechnologies.

Networks, clusters and industrial realisation

The Bioeconomy For Change (B4C) cluster is the central implementation partner for the strategy. The network brings together over 500 stakeholders - from agricultural cooperatives, start-ups and SMEs to large companies. It acts as an innovation platform and project organiser along the entire bio-based value chain.

B4C offers access to technology partners, demonstration platforms and international markets. In addition, the cluster provides targeted support for technology breakthroughs in the following areas:

• Green chemistry

• Enzymatic and microbiological processes

• Plant-based materials

• Circular economy models in agriculture and industry

Economic significance and scaling potential

With over 148,000 employees in bioeconomic sectors and an annual turnover of around 10 billion euros (as of 2020), the bioeconomy has long been a key economic sector in the region.

Biorefineries supply sustainable intermediate products for the food and chemical industries, while development centres such as FRD (Fibres Recherche Développement) are developing new materials based on plant fibres. The innovation centre Arvalis is working on practical solutions for climate-resilient agriculture.

International visibility and future viability

One indicator of Grand Est's growing international role is the BIOKET conference, which took place for the fifth time in 2024. BIOKET acts as a specialist platform for innovative processes and technologies in biomass processing - with strong regional roots and international appeal.

The region is focusing on the coming years:

• Higher resource efficiency through the utilisation of residual materials and side streams

• Material innovations through bio-based molecules

• Scientific-industrial co-innovation along integrated value creation systems

Timeline of key milestones

Conclusion for specialist stakeholders: model region with relevance for the whole of Europe

Grand Est shows how a region with an agro-industrial base, political coherence and strong research can organise a successful transition to the bioeconomy. The structured strategic approach, the clear funding architecture and the consistent networking of science, business and administration make the region a European model case.

Grand Est offers valuable reference points for specialised players from politics, research and industry - both in terms of strategic management and in relation to operational implementation, cluster management and innovation promotion.