research

Enabling Actions

Connecting research, industry, and communities to turn bioeconomy knowledge into real-world impact.
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decrease in food waste by 2030
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recycling rate of plastics by 2030
Our Mission

Empowering the Circular Bioeconomy

At BiOrbic, we’re enabling the research and innovation needed to build a sustainable circular bioeconomy in Ireland. This pillar focuses on providing the tools, training, and frameworks that help researchers, communities, and businesses translate knowledge into practical action.

By supporting collaboration, scaling of technologies, and public engagement, we aim to make the bioeconomy more inclusive, resilient, and impactful for society and the environment.

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Key Challenges
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Active Projects
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Researchers
Research Programmes

What Research is BiOrbic Doing?

The Enabling Actions pillar ensures all challenges have access to critical services and expertise. Each challenge is supported with frameworks, tools, and guidance to integrate life cycle thinking, public engagement, training, and scale-up of bioeconomy innovations.

Economic, Social & Policy Aspects Economic, Social & Policy Aspects Education & Public Engagement Sustainability Assessment Scaling the Bioeconomy Developing Future Leaders
Enabling Actions

Economic, Social & Policy Aspects

This challenge explores how knowledge, innovation, and policy can support a sustainable circular bioeconomy in Ireland. Researchers are developing frameworks to translate research into practical strategies that benefit businesses, communities, and the environment.

key research areas

Develop sustainable bioeconomy value chains and business models.

Support governance, policy coherence, and stakeholder engagement.

Assess economic, social, and environmental impacts of new technologies.

Active projects
Enabling Actions

Economic, Social & Policy Aspects

This challenge explores how knowledge, innovation, and policy can support a sustainable circular bioeconomy in Ireland. Researchers are developing frameworks to translate research into practical strategies that benefit businesses, communities, and the environment.

key research areas

Develop sustainable bioeconomy value chains and business models.

Support governance, policy coherence, and stakeholder engagement.

Assess economic, social, and environmental impacts of new technologies.

active Projects
Enabling Actions

Education & Public Engagement

This challenge focuses on engaging citizens and communities in bioeconomy research. Researchers develop frameworks, tools, and strategies to embed participatory approaches, including co-design, citizen science, and cultural narratives, especially in rural areas.

key research areas

Develop blueprints for citizen engagement.

Connect rural communities to the bioeconomy.

Promote co-design and living labs.

active Projects
Enabling Actions

Sustainability Assessment

This challenge ensures all bioeconomy research incorporates life cycle thinking. Researchers provide expertise to quantify environmental and social impacts, share learning across challenges, and integrate consistent data and methods.

key research areas

Coordinate sustainability assessment activities across challenges.

Capture social and environmental impacts.

Upscale sustainability assessment methods across the centre.

active Projects
Life Cycle Assessment of Organic Dairy Systems
Evaluation of the production processes of Glenisk based on organic milk versus other standard production processes.
Enabling Actions

Scaling the Bioeconomy

Energy drives every stage of the bioeconomy. This challenge ensures that bio-based systems use renewable, carbon-neutral power and that energy is managed efficiently across all sectors.

key research areas

Create fossil-free energy systems for the bioeconomy

Integrate renewable energy forecasting and flexible technologies

Develop carbon-negative fuels and energy recovery methods

active Projects
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Enabling Actions

Developing Future Leaders

This challenge builds skills and capacity for the next generation of bioeconomy researchers. Training across all platforms maximizes researcher potential and strengthens the delivery of research goals.

key research areas

Integrated, cross-platform training programs.

Mentor and support early-career researchers.

Foster leadership in bioeconomy innovation.

active Projects
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impact

Why This Research Matters

A strong enabling framework accelerates the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. Our work empowers researchers, connects communities, and supports industry, creating knowledge that translates into real-world impact.

Maximise Research Potential

Equip researchers with tools, training, and frameworks to deliver ambitious projects.

Engage Communities

Connect citizens to the bioeconomy, incorporating culture, heritage, and inclusive participation.

Scale Innovation

Help novel technologies grow from lab to market efficiently and sustainably.

Integrate Life Cycle Thinking

Ensure all projects account for environmental and social impacts.

Strategic Alignment

Aligned with Key EU and National Targets

This pillar supports EU and national priorities by translating knowledge into practical solutions, enabling industry collaboration, scaling bioeconomy technologies, and fostering open science, inclusive participation, and the next generation of bioeconomy leaders.

European Green Deal
  • Food waste – 50% decrease in retail & consumer food waste by 2030
  • Carbon-neutral energy – Create pathways for renewable and low-carbon energy production within the bioeconomy.
EU Circular Economy Action Plan
  • Plastic waste –55% recycling rate of plastics by 2030
  • Circular design – Embed circularity at every stage of production to reduce dependence on virgin materials and fossil inputs.
  • Digitalisation – Apply data and digital tools to improve efficiency, traceability and resource management.
EU Bioeconomy Strategy
  • Circular systems – Develop bio-based industries designed for circularity rather than linear production.
  • Carbon-neutral pathways – Support renewable energy and sustainable production to meet EU climate goals.