DENMARK IN A GLOBAL BIO-BASED SOCIETY
– DO WE WANT TO BE CUSTOMERS OR PRODUCERS?

The new field of 'Bioeconomy' is rapidly developing around the world. Major investments are currently being made in the development and production of bio-based products – not only in large countries like China, Brazil and the US, but in a number of EU Member States as well.

These efforts are motivated by several factors: the realisation that the era of fossil fuels is drawing to a close; rising oil prices and the wish to reduce our dependence on imported oil; climate policy; and, finally, a wish to be centrally positioned in growing markets for bio-based products.

Denmark has a strong point of departure for becoming a leading player, creating new jobs and increasing its export revenues by giving top priority to bio-based products where the feedstock is sustainable biomass.

But this will only happen if we dare to be ambitious and make bioeconomics a new priority area for Denmark.

The central issue is therefore: does Denmark intend to be just another customer buying other countries’ biomass-based products or do we want to be an active producer providing knowledge and technology and a preferred partner of the best international players?

An answer is urgently needed. Now is the time for us to decide if we want to be at the cutting edge and reap the full benefits of the many areas of expertise we have developed in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing and research.

With this strategy, BioRefining Alliance is presenting its view of the requisite decisions and actions to make Denmark a producer, and not just a customer, in tomorrow’s bioeconomy.

Read the strategy here