On 5 and 6 February, our partner Valorial participated in the Bio360 trade fair in Nantes as part of the European BioRural project. This key event in the bioeconomy and bioenergy sectors provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, establish strategic partnerships, and unveil the launch of the ThERBN project, which builds upon BioRural’s success.
Bio360: A Leading International Biotransition Event
Bio360 is a major international exhibition dedicated to accelerating biotransition. Bringing together 5,000 participants from 45 countries, 450 exhibitors from over 25 countries, and more than 200 speakers, the event serves as a dynamic platform for innovation and collaboration in bioenergy, bioeconomy, and CO₂ elimination. The exhibition’s impact is amplified by seven parallel conferences, where global experts and industry leaders share insights and strategies to drive the transition towards a more sustainable future.
BioRural: Strengthening the European Rural Bioeconomy Network
Over the course of the two-day event, BioRural generated significant interest among stakeholders committed to biotransition. The project’s mission—to establish a pan-European bioeconomy network—resonated strongly with attendees, underscoring the importance of collaboration in accelerating bioeconomic development. Visitors to the BioRural stand had the opportunity to explore the project’s vision and discover the BioRural Toolkit platform, a central tool designed to foster synergies and support sustainable innovation.
The Strength of Collective Innovation: Connected European Projects
Invited by the European Scale-Up project, led by AC3A (Association des Chambres d’Agriculture de l’Arc Atlantique), BioRural engaged in an immersive exchange with key players driving innovation in the bioeconomy. The event brought together five pioneering European projects dedicated to advancing bio-based solutions:
- Atelier du Biosourcé (France) – A cooperative cluster in Normandy integrating plant-based materials into construction.
- COPANO (France) – Developer of straw insulation panels free of binders or chemical additives, providing a sustainable and efficient construction solution.
- Biocircular Apple Farm (Poland) – An educational orchard serving as a living lab for circular bioeconomy research and practical training.
- ANDALTEC (Spain) – A COMPOLIVE spin-off specializing in biocomposites derived from olive tree prunings, tested in the automotive and furniture industries.
- BIOLIZA (Spain) – Innovator in transforming olive waste into biochar and synthesis gas through advanced pyrolysis and gasification, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The event highlighted the collaborative strength of the BioRural, Scale-Up, and RuralBioUp project consortia, fostering cross-sector partnerships to drive Europe’s bioeconomic transformation.
Launch of the ThERBN Project
During Bio360, Valorial and AC3A announced the launch of the Thematic European Rural Bioeconomy Network (ThERBN), a bold new initiative extending and reinforcing BioRural’s activities until 2027.ThERBN aims to further structure and expand Europe’s rural bioeconomy network, unlocking fresh perspectives and deepening synergies to accelerate the transition toward sustainability.
Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of an exciting journey!
