BRILIAN Trade-offs and synergies of the bioeconomy sector D3.2

This deliverable assesses the trade-offs, positive impacts and synergies associated with the bio-based value chains developed within the BRILIAN project, focusing on the three pilot cases in Spain, Denmark and Italy. The analysis examines how the valorisation of agricultural residues, by-products and alternative crops affects different stakeholders, including farmers, agro-industries, biorefineries, local communities, policymakers, consumers and research organisations. The assessment identifies important benefits associated with these value chains, including resource efficiency, new market opportunities, job creation, rural revitalisation, income diversification for farmers and increased awareness of circular economy principles. At the same time, it highlights relevant trade-offs such as environmental impacts, high investment and operational costs, regulatory uncertainty, feedstock competition, technological challenges and the need to strengthen social acceptance of new bio-based products. The deliverable also identifies opportunities for creating synergies through shared infrastructure, cooperation between agricultural and industrial actors, knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement and integration of agricultural production with biorefinery processes. The three pilot cases are complemented by an analysis of interactions at EU level, regional best practices and recommendations for the development of the European bioeconomy. Finally, the report updates the BRILIAN benchmarking indicators at project, sector and pilot level, providing an overview of progress towards the project’s sustainability, economic, social, technical and organisational objectives.