BalticBiomass4Value

Unlocking the Potential of Bio-based Value Chains in the Baltic Sea Region

The Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Unlocking the Potential of Bio-based Value Chains in the Baltic Sea Region” (BalticBiomass4Value) aimed to produce bioenergy in an environmentally sustainable and economically viable way by utilising new biomass sources for energy production, as well as possibilities to use bioenergy side streams for higher value bio-based products. 17 partners from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Norway and the Russian Federation worked on the project from 2019 to 2021.

The main step to achieve this goal was by mapping biomass from different sources (agriculture, food and feed industry, forestry, wood industry, municipal waste and sewage sludge, fishery, algae) and its logistics, as well as various biomass conversion technologies and value chains. Furthermore, best practices of bioenergy generation and the potential of more efficient and sustainable deployment of biomass in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) were identified. Consequently, the additional biomass utilisation in energy value chains was explored, especially opportunities to use bioenergy side streams for higher value bio-based products, such as food, feed, fertilisers, chemicals and cosmetics.

The main target groups were public authorities and business enterprises working within the field of bioeconomy. The project partners prepared guidelines on circular bioeconomy development support, and promoted them through experience exchange and training activities across the region. Additionally, knowledge and technology transfer services were improved and local businesses strengthened by sharing good practice business models during the business consultations.

Main project outcomes:

Market outlook and future viability of different bioenergy products and value chains in the Baltic Sea Region energy system (full report available)
Mapping of biomass value chains for improved sustainable energy use in the Baltic Sea Region (full report available)
Preparation of good practice business models and example small and medium scale pilot business projects for sustainable bioenergy and the production of bio-based side products in the Baltic Sea Region (full report available)
Analysis of regional/local support systems for circular bioeconomy development and preparation of good practice implementation guidelines for public authorities (full report available)
Interactive Online Portal (e-tool, available in eight languages)
Outreach events organised in every project partner country
Dissemination of information about the project via the BalticBiomass4Value newsletter, Linkedin, Facebook and the project website

FNR‘s main responsibility was project dissemination. Moreover, FNR was in charge of creating electronic tools (Interactive Online Portal) which present the project outcomes in an interactive and user-friendly way. The agency was able to contribute to the overall success of the project through its extensive expertise in the fields of bioenergy and production of bio-based products.

The project was coordinated by Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania).

The project partners were:

Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania), Forest and Land Owners Association of Lithuania (Lithuania), Lithuanian Biotechnology Association (Lithuania), Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia), Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Latvia), Ministry of Rural Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (Estonia), Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce (Estonia), Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia), FNR - Agency for Renewable Resources (Germany), 3N Lower Saxony Network for Renewable Resources and Bioeconomy (Germany), State Agency for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Areas of Schleswig-Holstein (Germany), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), Halmstad University (Sweden), Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (Norway), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway), Municipal enterprise of the city of Pskov “Gorvodokanal” (Russian Federation)

Project duration: 01.01.2019 – 31.12.2021

More information can be found on the project website.