Circular Bio-Based Business models to create high-value Bio-based products in integrated value chains (Cereal straw case)
Description
Cereal straw and wood biomass valorised into biochar, bioenergy and biochemicals with fairness in value distribution tested using the Triple Layered Business Model Canvas and Social Life Cycle Assessment
Sector
A1.6Support activities to agriculture and post-harvest crop activities
Needs/ Problem statement
Bio-based value chains using crop residues such as cereal straw can drive rural development, but farmers and primary producers often receive only a smaller share of the benefits compared to their effort, while the majority is absorbed by processors, retailers, distributors, and other intermediaries. Fair and sustainable business models that ensure rural actors play a meaningful role in the bioeconomy transition are lacking.
Objective
To test and demonstrate fair, sustainable business models for cereal straw and other residue-based value chains across 9 real-world cases in Sweden, Italy, Greece, and Germany. The aim is to show that tailored models, such as cooperatives, are essential for scaling and improving farmers\' bargaining power, ensuring fairness enhances both collaboration and economic performance across the value chain.
Bioeconomy fields
Crop residues and perennial plantsx
Designer crops for optimised biomass contentnull
Algae biomassnull
Waste or recycled materialnull
Microbial assisted processingnull
Biorefineries null
Feedstock
Biomass residues
Outcomes and final product
The verified bio-based outputs across the 9 cases include biochar, energy, and chemicals derived from residues such as cereal straw, grape pomace, and wood biomass.
Mobility
null
Value chains
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Significant arisings of feedstocks available currently.
C Sink
1
2
3
3 - High potential - strong potential for carbon sequestration at the feedstock and product level).
Intended user
Farmer cooperatives and rural enterprises in cereal-growing regions, particularly where straw arisings are high. Requires a critical mass of producers to negotiate with processors and access to at least one downstream conversion pathway (biochar, bioenergy or biochemicals).
Complexity of the process
1
2
3
null
Final user
Farmerx
Foresternull
Researchernull
Advisornull
NGOnull
Training organizationnull
Processor or retailernull
Consumernull
Public Authority + LAGnull
Othernull
Economic sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant economic benefits.
Social sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant social benefits.
Environmental sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant environmental benefits.
