SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform: three years of alliances and innovation

Launched in March 2023 as part of the European SCALE-UP project and coordinated by the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA), the SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform brings together nearly 60 entities, including all Andalusian public universities, research centers, private companies, and investment funds. This strategic alliance drives innovation in the circular bioeconomy across Andalusia (Spain), with a strong focus on valorizing agricultural residues from the olive sector, a cornerstone of the region’s sustainable development and economic growth.

High engagement in SCALE-UP activities

The platform’s success is rooted in the active participation of its members in key activities such as:

• The clustering event in Málaga (July 2023), which gathered 18 European bioeconomy projects to explore synergies.
• The international meeting in Linares (June 2024), focused on olive-based bioeconomy innovations.
• The Express Ideas Competition in Churriana de la Vega (November 2024), engaging students in sustainable uses of olive biomass.
• The SCALE-UP international entrepreneurship event at the BIO360 fair in Nantes (February 2025).
• High participation by members of the Andalusian platform in the 21 seminarsof the SCALE-UP training programme.

These initiatives highlight the platform’s strong presence across multiple locations and demonstrating a clear commitment to advancing the circular economy in Andalusia.

Alignment with regional policies and EU Projects

The platform has closely collaborated with the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, a member of the platform, enabling SCALE-UP’s activities to be recognized in official documents like theCircular Bioeconomy Action Plan for the Agri-Food Value Chain 2025–2030.

The Andalusian Circular Bioeconomy Strategy has also been present in meetings with platform members, aligning with SCALE-UP’s goals and challenges. Additionally, the platform aligns with Andalusia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and collaborates with other European bioeconomy projects, such as ROBIN and BBioNets, to foster knowledge exchange and joint innovation.

Scaling Innovation: Bioliza and Andaltec

The strategic vision of platform members has been key to its success. Notably, Bioliza and Andaltec were selected as beneficiaries of SCALE-UP’s Innovation Support Programme (ISP), showcasing Andalusia’s ability to scale up advanced bioeconomic technologies, including Bioliza’s pyrolysis systems for agricultural waste and Andaltec’s biorefineries producing composite materials from olive biomass.

Thanks to its participation in the Bio360 fair in Nantes, the French company S3D (part of the KERAN group) has expressed interest in joining Bioliza’s shareholding structure. This represents a significant reinforcement for the company, made possible by the international visibility and opportunities generated through the SCALE-UP project.

Active participation in the SCALE-UP Metacluster

Nowadays, the SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform is actively involved in the SCALE-UP Metacluster, which connects regional platforms across Europe. Looking ahead, its members will co-host and participate in conferences, study visits, and webinars, fostering peer learning and international collaboration.

Andalusian experts will contribute to thematic working groups on topics like circular packaging, nutrient recycling, sustainable agri-food value chains, and rural bio-entrepreneurship. The platform will also share regional case studies, policy briefs, and technical reports via the Metacluster’s digital platform to inform and inspire other regions across Europe.

Final event

The final event of the SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform has taken place online on August 28th, marking the conclusion of the project’s initiatives in the region. The event has included a review of the work carried out over the three years of the project, as well as a discussion on how participation in the platform has benefited the involved entities. In addition, the Andalusian Cluster of Circular Bioeconomy in the Agri-food Value Chain, of which CTA is a member, has been presented.

While the SCALE-UP project concludes, the Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform has proven to be a driving force for circular bioeconomy development across the region and beyond. CTA’s aim is to ensure that the platform continues its activity even beyond the SCALE-UP project. Let’s celebrate this together!