Regional Platform for Bioeconomy – The road ahead after SCALE-UP

On 3 April 2025, stakeholders from the Bioeconomy platform in northern Sweden met for the final formal in-person meeting of the SCALE-UP project. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: to secure continued collaboration after the project’s conclusion, and to hand over responsibility for hosting the autumn meeting to a new host.

A day that raised more questions than it could answer
The meeting made it clear that a single day is barely enough to discuss all the ongoing activities, projects, and collaboration opportunities within the bioeconomy. Magnus Matisons provided a retrospective on past cooperation and lessons learned from SCALE-UP. Group discussions addressed global trends and changes – from technological advancements to new policy instruments, such as emissions trading, carbon credits, and adjustments to the reduction obligation.

Alternative fuels and market challenges
A key topic of discussion was the transition to alternative fuels. Questions arose about how producers and buyers can dare to invest, how to manage additional costs, and the role that increased self-sufficiency might play. The shipping industry’s transition was used as a concrete example of how the gap between regulatory requirements and ambition creates economic uncertainty. The consensus: regulatory decisions often determine the profitability of new fuels.

From forest to market – The entire value chain in focus
An ongoing theme was how to communicate the entire bioeconomy value chain, from forestry to the end customer. Piteå Science Park emphasized the need to showcase how modern, sustainable forestry works – both from a production and consumer perspective.

Collaboration and funding
Participants also discussed how regions can support funding applications, how joint ambitions can be incorporated into EU project proposals, and opportunities to utilise existing pilot plants as test environments. Digitalization, autonomous machinery, and precision forestry were highlighted as areas with significant development potential.

Collaboration ahead
Among the concrete ideas and planned activities that emerged during the day were:

• Workshops on business models, policies, and technology
• A meeting on renewable fuels for heavy machinery
• A shared map of northern Sweden’s research and facilities
• Exploring high-value products from bark and needles
• Showcasing northern Sweden’s innovation internationally to attract investment

We are looking forward to the September meeting, at which we will build on the collaboration that the SCALE-UP project has helped strengthen.