This report describes a business opportunity worth USD 7.7 trillion represented by the shift to a sustainable, low-carbon, circular bioeconomy for food and feed waste, products, and energy. It supports companies on their journey to circular bioeconomy through case studies and guidance to overcome the sustainability trade-offs associated with circular bioeconomy business models. Based on several interviews with businesses engaging in the industry, the report found that the main barriers are:
- Financial flows (particularly additional costs)
- Technology
- Policy and regulation
- Mindset and values, due to the existing negative public perception of bio-based materials
The report also finds transformation toward a circular bioeconomy is crucial to solving our most pressing societal issues, ensuring companies have the required resources to produce goods and services and continuing to create value in the long-term.