Research

At BiOrbic, we want to create knowledge and real-world solutions that drive the transition to a sustainable circular bioeconomy through interdisciplinary research excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

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research overview

Research Areas and Key Topics

We are working to transition to an Ireland which has healthy ecosystems; carbon neutral operational systems in agriculture, marine, and forestry; is 100% circular; and is powered by clean, renewable energy. We aim to fulfill these goals through our research projects which you can read more about below.  More about our objectives here.

research pillars

Five Pillars of Bioeconomy Research

Our research is organized across five interconnected pillars, each addressing critical challenges in the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.
1

Healthy Ecosystems

Ensuring our natural ecosystems are healthy and strong so we can rely on them for generations to come.

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2

Climate Neutral Operational Systems

Harnessing the resources of our natural environment to create new products and sustainable system.

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3

Valorisation of Waste Resources

Finding ways that we can both reduce, repurpose and valorise waste.

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4

Bioeconomy Systems

Looking at the bigger picture and developing efficient and supportive systems, developing a truly circular system.

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5

Enabling Actions

Cross-cutting initiatives that address policy, public engagement, and sustainability assessments.

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6

Research (2017-2023)

Research conducted by BiOrbic from 2017 to 2023.

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Strategic objectives

Our Research Goals

BiOrbic’s research is guided by clear, measurable objectives that deliver on a range of ambitious national and EU targets to protect natural ecosystems and reduce GHG emissions, biodiversity loss, and soil, water and air pollution.

Nature & Resilience Climate Neutrality Circular Bioeconomy Innovation & Transition

Nature & Resilience

Aligned with Healthy Ecosystems & Climate Neutral Operational Systems

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Increase resilience of the bioeconomy through supporting the restoration of nature

10% of farm are dedicated to high quality habitats (Nature restoration plan EU)

Protecting 30% of EU land and 30% of EU sea area (Nature restoration plan EU)

Climate Neutrality

Aligned with Climate Neutral Operational Systems

2

Research and demonstrate how to achieve climate neutral operational systems to help meet and go beyond Government and EU and national targets

GHG – 55% reduction by 2030 (Green deal EU, Bioeconomy strategy EU)

Net Zero by 2050 through reductions in emissions and C-sequestration (Green deal EU)

Fertiliser – 20% reduction by 2030 (Farm to fork strategy EU, CAP)

Pesticides – 50% reduction by 2030 (Farm to fork strategy EU, CAP)

Circular Bioeconomy

Aligned with Valorisation of Waste Resources & Bioeconomy Systems

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Increase resource efficiency by targeting the biggest waste challenges globally to achieve and exceed EU and national targets

Food waste – 3rd biggest GHG emitter globally– 50% decrease in retail & consumer food waste by 2030 (including re-distribution of food) (Green deal EU)

Plastic waste –55% recycling rate of plastics by 2030 (Circular economy action plan EU)

CO2 – while there are no target for use of biogenic CO2 is it identified in the SIRA as a “very promising feedstock” (SIRA 2017)

4

Design circularity in the Bioeconomy

The purpose here is not to simply ‘remove the fossil’ or achieve a theoretical ‘net zero’ economy, but to create a genuinely circular system that is optimised for circularity and not for individual technological innovations and reduces overall pressure on limited land resources.

Innovation & Transition

Aligned with Bioeconomy Systems & Enabling Actions

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Create a pathway to carbon neutral energy production and consumption in the bioeconomy

(Green deal EU, Bioeconomy strategy EU)

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Use the power of digitalisation to increase the efficiency of the Bioeconomy

(Circular economy action plan and Bioeconomy strategy EU)

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Translation of knowledge generated within BiOrbic into practice to support a transition to a climate neutral circular bioeconomy

Education and Public Engagement, Demo farms, Scale up of technology, Collaboration with industry, License technology to industry, Policy development.

At BiOrbic, we are driven by the need to restore balance between human activity and the natural world.

Agriculture, forestry, and marine systems, amplified by fossil-based resources, have pushed Earth’s ecosystems beyond their limits, leading to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Our aim is to create knowledge and real-world solutions that drive the transition to a 

sustainable, circular bioeconomy through interdisciplinary research excellence, collaboration, and innovation. We focus on developing nature-aligned, low-emission systems that protect biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gases and pollutants, and keep production and

consumption within planetary boundaries. By supporting national and EU environmental goals, BiOrbic strives to deliver a climate-neutral, nature-positive future – ensuring healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and sustainable development for generations to come.

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Get in touch to see how your business or community can participate in Ireland’s most dynamic sustainability-focused research ecosystem.