12th Report Bioeconomy in Europe
Presented at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers hosted the presentation of the 12th Report on Bioeconomy in Europe, titled “Bioeconomy for Growth and Resilience”. The document, prepared by the Intesa Sanpaolo Research Department in collaboration with the SPRING Cluster, highlights a rapidly expanding sector that is becoming increasingly strategic for the ecological transition. In 2025, the European bioeconomy generated as much as 3,174 billion euros (accounting for 8.8% of the EU economy) and employed 17 million people. Within this scenario, Italy ranks third in Europe for both turnover and employment, trailing only Germany and France. According to the report, the sector serves as a powerful engine for development, particularly for rural and coastal areas, as it generates over 10% of Italy’s GDP and 8% of national employment.
Prof. Andrea Lenzi, President of the National Research Council, emphasized how the bioeconomy enhances national biodiversity by transforming residues and resources into bio-based products and clean energy. Prof. Fabio Fava, Coordinator of the National Coordination Group for Bioeconomy (GCNB), underscored the report’s value as a compass for institutions and the research community. Concluding the session, the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, highlighted how the sector has become a geopolitical lever for resilience, crucial for reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
The event also provided a prominent showcase for the sustainable management of marine resources. The findings and guidelines of the Blue Bioeconomy Working Group on “Uses of Marine Space” were presented, enriched by an address from the Director of CNR-IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna. To ensure a fair and sustainable use of marine space in support of the sector’s supply chains, the Working Group proposed establishing a Transdisciplinary Center. This center will capitalize on the experience and outcomes of the MSP4BIODIVERSITY project, funded under Spoke 2 of the PNRR NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center). Alongside this initiative, four strategic pilot supply chains with high potential for replicability and scalability across the country were identified: oyster farming in Sardinia, seaweed cultivation in Puglia, small-scale fisheries in Sicily, and tailored professional training activities for operators in the sector.
Further details can be found in the CNR press release. The full text of the 12th Report is available for reading here: The Bioeconomy in Europe.