How to advance regional circular bioeconomy systems? Identifying barriers, challenges, drivers, and opportunities

Rodrigo Salvador (), Murillo Vetroni Barros, Mechthild Donner (), Paulo Brito, Anthony Halog and Antonio C. de Francisco
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Rodrigo Salvador: DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark, LDSPS - Laboratory for the Development of Sustainable Production Systems - DIIND-USACH - Department of Industrial Engineering - Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas - UCHILE - Universidad de Chile = University of Chile [Santiago]
Murillo Vetroni Barros: LDSPS - Laboratory for the Development of Sustainable Production Systems - DIIND-USACH - Department of Industrial Engineering - Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas - UCHILE - Universidad de Chile = University of Chile [Santiago]
Mechthild Donner: UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement
Paulo Brito: Politécnico de Portalegre = Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre
Anthony Halog: UQ [All campuses : Brisbane, Dutton Park Gatton, Herston, St Lucia and other locations] - The University of Queensland
Antonio C. de Francisco: LDSPS - Laboratory for the Development of Sustainable Production Systems - DIIND-USACH - Department of Industrial Engineering - Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas - UCHILE - Universidad de Chile = University of Chile [Santiago]

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Abstract: High rates of resource consumption and waste generation have put pressure on environmental systems and one of the solutions to this concerning behavior is a circular bioeconomy (CBE). However, for a CBE to succeed, new businesses and business models are needed, for which many drawbacks might be faced. Therefore, this article aimed (i) to identify the drivers, opportunities, challenges, and barriers for businesses in a CBE both from theoretical and practical perspectives, and (ii) to present the regional differences in those aspects for different continents. A mixed-method approach was adopted, comprising a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 32 organizations from 18 countries in 4 continents (Africa, America, Australia, and Europe). Eight barriers and twenty challenges, as well as fifteen drivers and eight opportunities were identified. The main barrier and challenge pointed out by stakeholders were lack of financial resources/capital, and price competitiveness with traditional/linear product offers. The most prominent driver and opportunity were establishment of public policies/governmental support, and waste recovery. Regional aspects of CBEs (by continent) were also identified. Advancing CBEs requires setting strategies to overcome the lack of financial resources/capital, developing and/or making the adequate technology available locally, and enabling price competitiveness with traditional (linear and non-renewable-based) options. This study also unveils a series of managerial and business implications. There is the risk of rebound effects, such as waste becoming mainstream feedstock and bioproducts being introduced to the market on low-price strategies, thus triggering increased consumption. Premium pricing strategies need to be considered for bio-based products (compared with non-bio-based products). Moreover, technological development plays a role in driving innovation, and pioneers might lead the development of policies. For CBE systems to succeed there needs to be further technological development and greater connection among the actors in the value chain, converging in resilient circular business models for a CBE.

Keywords: circular business model; bioeconomy; circular economy; circular bioeconomy; sustainable production; sustainable consumption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03657626v1
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Published in Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2022, 32, pp.248-269. ⟨10.1016/j.spc.2022.04.025⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03657626

DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2022.04.025

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