1. State of the EU bioeconomy
Analysis of 2018 Eurostat data shows that in the EU27 + UK, the total turnover of the entire bioeconomy, including primary sectors such as food, beverages, agriculture and forestry, was just over €2.4 trillion, compared to 2008 Annual growth of about 25%.
The food and beverage sector accounts for about half of the bioeconomy’s total turnover, while bio-based industries including chemicals and plastics, pharmaceuticals, paper and paper products, forest products, textiles, biofuels and bioenergy account for about 30 percent. Another nearly 20% of income comes from the primary sector of agriculture and forestry.
2. State of the EU bio-based economy
In 2018, the EU biobased industry had a turnover of 776 billion euros, up from around 600 billion euros in 2008. Among them, paper-paper products (23%) and wood products-furniture (27%) accounted for the largest proportion, with a total of about 387 billion euros; biofuels and bioenergy accounted for about 15%, with a total of about 114 billion euros; bio-based chemicals and plastics with a turnover of 54 billion euros (7%).
Turnover in the chemicals and plastics sector increased by 68%, from EUR 32 billion to around EUR 54 billion;
The pharmaceutical industry’s turnover increased by 42%, from 100 billion euros to 142 billion euros;
Other small growth, such as the paper industry, increased turnover by 10.5%, from 161 billion euros to 178 billion euros;
Or stable development, such as the textile industry, turnover increased by only 1%, from 78 billion euros to 79 billion euros.
3. Employment changes in the EU bio-based economy
In 2018, total employment in the EU bioeconomy reached 18.4 million. However, in the period 2008-2018, the employment development of the entire EU bioeconomy compared with the total turnover showed a downward trend in total employment. However, the decline in employment across the bioeconomy is largely due to the decline in the agricultural sector, which is driven by the increasing optimization, automation and digitization of the sector. Employment rates in other industries have remained stable or even increased, such as pharmaceuticals.
Employment development in bio-based industries showed the smallest downward trend between 2008 and 2018. Employment fell from 3.7 million in 2008 to around 3.5 million in 2018, with the textile industry in particular losing around 250,000 jobs during this period. In other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, employment increased. In 2008, 214,000 people were employed, and now that number has risen to around 327,000.
4. Differences in employment across EU countries
EU bio-based economic data shows that there are clear differences between members in terms of employment and output.
Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, for example, dominate the lower value-added sectors of the bio-based economy, which create many jobs. This shows that the agricultural sector tends to be labor-intensive compared to high value-added sectors.
In contrast, Western and Nordic countries have much higher turnover relative to employment, suggesting a larger share of value-added industries such as oil refining.
The countries with the highest employee turnover are Finland, Belgium and Sweden.
5. Vision
By 2050, Europe will have a sustainable and competitive bio-based industry chain to promote employment, economic growth and the formation of a bio-recycling society.
In such a circular society, informed consumers will choose sustainable lifestyles and support economies that combine economic growth with social well-being and environmental protection.
Post time: Jul-05-2022
