Bioeconomy in Austria

The event "LK Klartext Bioökonomie Neue Chancen aus Acker & Wald" provided the framework for the presentation of the new WIFO study "Agricultural Biomass and Bioenergy in Austria – An Analysis of Their Economic and Environmental Significance". The study concentrates on the grain sector and in particular on starch production. Although this only represents a small part of the bio-economy, it does so in great detail. The results show that the decentralised processing of raw materials from domestic production is of particular importance for local labour markets. An increase in employment and value added has been observed in recent years and investment plans provide indications that this development will continue. Modified starch and bioethanol are established products in this segment of the bioeconomy. In the coming years, variants of bioplastics will increasingly replace products that were previously made from fossil raw materials. The bioeconomy therefore contributes not only to growth and employment, but also to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.