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This LU will focus on the Innovation, Economics and strategic management aspects of bioeconomy aiming to provide specialized knowledge in order to cope with the economic challenges of bio-economy and circular economy, shading light on aspects such as how (new) biobased products are embedded in value chains from micro- and macroeconomic perspectives; on the establishment of cooperation among different stakeholders; on the development of sustainable innovation; and on the measurement of adoption and environmental benefits.

This LU aims to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding, and skills to effectively apply the principles and practices of the circular economy in practical contexts. It introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of circular economy, such as the concept of closing the loop, minimizing waste and designing for circularity.

Climate change, socioeconomical pressures, and new policy and legislation are driving a decarbonization process across industries, with a critical shift from a fossil-based economy toward a biomass-based one. The new paradigm implies not only a gradual phasing out of fossil fuels as a source of energy, but also a move away from crude oil as a source of platform chemicals, polymers, drugs, solvents and many other critical materials, and consumer goods that are ubiquitous in our everyday life. A biorefinery is a facility that integrates various biomass conversion processes to produce a range of bio-based products, including biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials.

Actually, the concept of a biorefinery is analogous to a conventional petroleum refinery but focuses on utilizing renewable biological resources, such as plant biomass, agricultural residues, and other organic materials, as feedstocks instead of fossil fuels. The primary goal of a biorefinery is to maximize the efficient use of biomass resources, minimize waste, and generate sustainable products.

Biorefineries can play important role in the development of a more sustainable and bio-based economy, providing an innovative approach to resource utilization and reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional industrial processes. The evolution of biorefinery technologies continues to contribute to advancements in the field of bio-based products and renewable energy.

In an era defined by growing environmental concerns and an urgent demand for sustainable energy solutions, bioenergy stands out as a promising answer at the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture. Bioenergy encompasses a range of energy forms derived from organic materials, predominantly biological resources like plants and biomass, aimed at producing power and heat. A fundamental element in bioenergy production revolves around the cultivation of dedicated energy crops. These crops are intentionally grown for the sole purpose of generating energy in various forms, including electricity, heat, and biofuels. The cultivation of energy crops plays a pivotal role in the bioenergy sector, providing an eco-friendly and economically viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

This LU aims to provide a detailed overview of the bioenergy and biofuel crop sector. This is through lessons focused on the different types of usable biomass (crops), transformation processes and the types of fuel that can be obtained. The LU also provides guidance on sustainability and concludes with a review of the pertinent European legislation.

‘’The bioeconomy, as a catalyst for systemic change, tackles the economic, social and environmental aspects of the world by seeking new ways of producing and consuming resources while respecting our planet’s limits and moving away from a linear economy based on extensive use of fossil and mineral resources’’ as quoted by the “How the bioeconomy contributes to the European Green Deal” publication. As defined in the EC’s updated Bioeconomy Strategy (2018), bioeconomy covers “all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources (animals, plants, micro-organisms and derived biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles. It includes and interlinks land and marine ecosystems and the services they provide; all primary production sectors that use and produce biological resources; and all economic and industrial sectors that use biological resources and processes to produce food, feed, biobased products, energy and services.”

This LU aims to deepen learners’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in the field of Circular Economy. It explores the advanced principles and practices of the circular economy and introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of circular economy, such as the concept of closing the loop, minimizing waste and designing for circularity.

Climate change, socioeconomical pressures, and new policy and legislation are driving a decarbonization process across industries, with a critical shift from a fossil-based economy toward a biomass-based one. The new paradigm implies not only a gradual phasing out of fossil fuels as a source of energy, but also a move away from crude oil as a source of platform chemicals, polymers, drugs, solvents and many other critical materials, and consumer goods that are ubiquitous in our everyday life. A biorefinery is a facility that integrates various biomass conversion processes to produce a range of bio-based products, including biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials.

Actually, the concept of a biorefinery is analogous to a conventional petroleum refinery but focuses on utilizing renewable biological resources, such as plant biomass, agricultural residues, and other organic materials, as feedstocks instead of fossil fuels. The primary goal of a biorefinery is to maximize the efficient use of biomass resources, minimize waste, and generate sustainable products.

Biorefineries can play important role in the development of a more sustainable and bio-based economy, providing an innovative approach to resource utilization and reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional industrial processes. The evolution of biorefinery technologies continues to contribute to advancements in the field of bio-based products and renewable energy.

In an era defined by growing environmental concerns and an urgent demand for sustainable energy solutions, bioenergy stands out as a promising answer at the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture. Bioenergy encompasses a range of energy forms derived from organic materials, predominantly biological resources like plants and biomass, aimed at producing power and heat. A fundamental element in bioenergy production revolves around the cultivation of dedicated energy crops. These crops are intentionally grown for the sole purpose of generating energy in various forms, including electricity, heat, and biofuels. The cultivation of energy crops plays a pivotal role in the bioenergy sector, providing an eco-friendly and economically viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

This LU aims to provide a detailed overview of the bioenergy and biofuel crop sector. This is through lessons focused on the different types of usable biomass (crops), transformation processes and the types of fuel that can be obtained. The LU also provides guidance on sustainability and concludes with a review of the pertinent European legislation.

In this Learning unit you will learn how to effectively apply the principles and practices of circular economy in practical contexts. You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of circular economy, such as the concept of closing the loop, minimizing waste and designing for circularity.

"A bioeconomia, enquanto catalisador da mudança sistémica, aborda os aspetos económicos, sociais e ambientais do mundo, procurando novas formas de produzir e consumir recursos, respeitando os limites do nosso planeta e afastando-se de uma economia linear baseada na utilização extensiva de recursos fósseis e minerais", como citado na publicação "How the bioeconomy contributes to the European Green Deal". Tal como definido na Estratégia Bioeconómica actualizada da CE (2018), a bioeconomia abrange "todos os sectores e sistemas que dependem de recursos biológicos (animais, plantas, microrganismos e biomassa derivada, incluindo resíduos orgânicos), as suas funções e princípios. Inclui e interliga os ecossistemas terrestres e marinhos e os serviços que prestam; todos os sectores de produção primária que utilizam e produzem recursos biológicos; e todos os sectores económicos e industriais que utilizam recursos e processos biológicos para produzir alimentos para consumo humano e animal, produtos de base biológica, energia e serviços".