La bioeconomics is now a cornerstone of sustainable growth in Europe, with Italy as protagonist in a rapidly expanding sector. The 11th Bioeconomy Report, produced by Intesa Sanpaolo with Cluster Spring e SRM Studies and Research for the South, presented at the Luiss Guido Carli University, confirms that in 2024 the sector generated 3.042 billion euros in the EU-27 countries, equal to 8,7% of the total European economy, with over 17 million workers involved. Italy contributes 426,8 billion euros and more than 2 million employees, representing 14% of the European bioeconomy and 10% of the national GDP.
What is bioeconomy?
The bioeconomy is an innovative model that exploits renewable biological resources, terrestrial and marine, to create goods and services high added value. It includes traditional activities such as agriculture, fishing and forestry, and advanced sectors such as green chemistry, bio-based pharmaceuticals, sustainable cosmetics and innovative biomaterials. It is the engine of transition ecologica, capable of responding to the global challenges of climate change, food security and sustainable energy.
EU Bioeconomy: Germany First, Italy Second
The Report, extended for the first time to the entire EU, analyses a broad economic system that includes agriculture, fishing, forestry, food, bioenergy, bioplastics, paper, bio-based textiles and green chemistry. Two key aspects emerge: transversality of the bioeconomy and its centrality in fostering resilient, inclusive and low-emission growth. The supply chain agri-food accounts for more than half of the bioeconomic value in all European areas. In Mediterranean countries (10,3%) and Nordics (9,7%), bio-based fashion and the wood, bio-based furniture and paper sectors stand out respectively.
La Germany leads with 507 billion euros of bioeconomic output, followed byItaly with 426,8 billion and from France with 396 billion. The Italian success comes from the strong integration between agriculture, industry and innovation, supported by startups, SMEs and research centers, and from a specialization in sectors with a high intensity of renewable raw materials.
Bioeconomy in Italy: solid numbers, excellent supply chains
In Italy, the value of the bioeconomy in 2024 remains substantially stable compared to 2023 (-0,4%), involving approximately 10% of the value of the production national and 7,7% of theoccupation. This result is a summary of the good performance of the supply chain agri-food, balanced by the decline in highly specialized Italian sectors such as fashion, wood products and furniture. Italy thus represents 14% of the European bioeconomy, a share higher than the overall weight of the country in the European economy (12,4%).
Bio-based companies grow: focus on sustainable packaging
Particular attention is paid to the segment of bio-based plastic products, still limited but with great growth potential, especially in sustainable packaging, a key element for a circular economy. According to a survey of 171 companies clients di Intesa Sanpaolo, almost half already use bio-based materials and 36% plan to increase their adoption in the coming years. Sustainability-oriented companies show greater propensity to invest in R&D and attention to regulations.
Internal Areas: an opportunity to be exploited
SRM also analyzed the Italian Internal Areas, which cover 60% of the national territory. Although marked by depopulation and infrastructural deficiencies, they are rich in biodiversity e resources local. The bioeconomy can enhance them with short, traceable supply chains, valorization of by-products and social cohesion, developing models that can also be replicated at a European level.
Towards a European strategy for the bioeconomy
At the presentation meeting at Luiss University, the urgency of a European industrial strategy which enhances the bioeconomy as a cross-cutting axis in industrial, fiscal, environmental and innovation policies. Catia Bastioli, president of the Spring Cluster, recalled the need for instruments concrete: from the introduction of specific Nace codes for bio-based products, to the recognition of bio content in products, up to a dedicated European Lead Market Initiative.
European projects are already underway such as Terrific e BioinSouth, promoted by the Spring Cluster with the support of the Eu Bioeconomy Clusters' Alliance, to develop circular and inclusive supply chains starting from pilot territories in Southern Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal.
