Bioeconomy in Bavaria and Germany: Sustainable Value Creation for the Future

The concept of the circular bioeconomy is revolutionizing economic structures through the use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms for innovative products and services. Taking into account the principles of the circular economy, it enables the sustainable use, production, recycling and, if necessary, reuse of bio-based resources with the aim of reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil resources and minimizing the ecological footprint. The holistic approach of the bioeconomy is a promising concept for sustainable development in Bavaria and Germany. However, it must be taken into account that the growth of plants is limited and that ecosystems must be managed sustainably. This article offers insights into the implementation of the bioeconomy in Bavaria and demonstrates its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create climate-friendly value chains and contribute to a more efficient use of resources. It underlines the importance of multiple use and promotes a circular economy model for both biogenic and non-biogenic resources, insofar as their use is still unavoidable for the time being. The paper also presents the Bavarian bioeconomy strategy "Zukunft.Biooekonomie.Bayern." and emphasizes its role in steering Bavaria's transformation towards a bio-based and circular way of life. In addition, the importance of the bioeconomy in Bavarian agriculture and forestry is discussed and the diverse landscape as well as the well-developed research and education system as a basis for bio-based innovations are presented. The involvement of various actors, including companies, start-ups and research institutions, underlines the cooperative character of the bioeconomy, which requires interdisciplinary cooperation between science, business, politics and society. The Bavarian Bioeconomy Expert Council addresses the challenges and future prospects of the bioeconomy with recommendations for action, which are primarily aimed at the Bavarian state government. The most important challenges include involving stakeholders, adapting the legal framework, ensuring the availability of sustainable biomass and promoting innovative technologies such as genome editing. Furthermore, the article considers the importance of stable and reliable investment conditions, technology transfer and the role of hydrogen production in the context of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) and emphasizes the need for a coordinated and coherent approach for the successful promotion of the bioeconomy in Bavaria.