BiOrbic makes plans for co-funded research projects worth combined €5m
BiOrbic has announed it expects to invest €5 million in co-funding over the next five years in research to help drive Ireland’s transition to a sustainable, circular bioeconomy.
The centre plans to support collaborative initiatives between academic researchers from one of Ireland’s 12 universities, and companies active in bioeconomy-related sectors.
The bioeconomy harnesses renewable biological resources from agriculture, forestry, and marine sectors to produce food, feed, materials, and energy, while reducing waste and supporting climate neutrality. This sector has gained momentum both nationally and internationally, reflecting its importance in addressing climate change and adapting to shifting global trade conditions.
A report from global consulting firm McKinsey in 2020 underscored the transformative potential of the bioeconomy, estimating that up to 60% of the physical inputs to the global economy could be produced or substituted with biological processes. About one-third of these were biological materials – such as organic residues from agri-food, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, and related processing by-products -highlighting the opportunity to turn waste into high-value resources.
Sean Douglas, BiOrbic industry engagement manager, said: “We have seen a rapid development in the bioeconomy space in recent months and years with new research, infrastructural development, including at the national bioeconomy campus and commercial activity as we navigate an increasingly unstable international trading environment and seek to meet climate commitments. This investment capitalises on that demand and provides a path for companies and researchers to come together to co-develop solutions that meet both market demands and sustainability considerations.”
Joint applications for the first round of funding are open until 10 October 2025 via biorbic.com.
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