PRIMED: Driving Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions Across Europe

With the climate crisis and the instability of the food system at an all time high, the urgency to address the environmental impact of the food system is more evident than ever. One key approach is the bioeconomy model, which emphasises using renewable biological resources to produce food, materials, energy, and services. This model aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, promote circular production processes, and leverage biological resources—such as crops, forests, marine life, and microorganisms—to create value-added, sustainable products. Through biotechnology, biorefineries, and circular waste management, the bioeconomy can drive a more sustainable future.

Naked Innovations x Primed  

To build stronger ecosystems around the world, starting from Catalonia, Naked Innovations has joined the PRIMED project. PRIMED is focused on transforming underutilised biomass resources into new circular bio-based value chains, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This effort is essential to address climate change challenges and support the EU’s SDGs. Currently, the circular economy represents only 7.2% of the global economy, highlighting the urgent need to scale up circular practices. Naked Innovations plays a key role in ecosystem building, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge sharing to support the development of resilient bioeconomy ecosystems within PRIMED's Living Labs.

Building a Greener Future with PRIMED: Empowering Rural Communities Across Europe

Imagine a future where rural regions in Europe are bustling with new green jobs, thriving eco-friendly businesses, and strong community bonds. That’s the vision behind PRIMED. This project is all about driving sustainable growth in rural areas via the Living Labs, ensuring that primary producers are part of the conversation on innovation and scaling bio-based solutions to address major territorial challenges. It’s not just about creating new jobs or leveraging technology to create new bio-based products; it’s about including stakeholders from all levels and sectors in the development of business and governance models, and making sure that innovative solutions to address pressing local challenges are co-created.

How Does PRIMED Work?

The main objectives of the PRIMED project are:

(1) create new green jobs and growth, revitalising the economy in rural areas

(2) create new high-value bio-based products that have a positive environmental and social impact

(3) improve equity, justice, well-being, and dignity for rural workers, establishing 15 different circular business models where primary producers are included in decision making and benefit from innovation. 

To achieve these objectives, PRIMED is developing innovative Circular Business Models in Bioeconomy (CBMB) to produce high-value bio-based products through advanced biorefineries. These are being developed in five Living Labs across Europe: the ALC Bio-HUB in Spain, the Bio-Silica Lab in Portugal, the Liguria Bio-Lab in Italy, the BioEire Lab in Ireland, and the CellFactory in Finland. A key part of the PRIMED strategy is our Shared Agendas approach. The Shared Agendas approach involves bringing together a diverse set of partners from different helices to co-create a future vision for their territory. The future vision will align with regional sustainability plans (top down) as well as the assets, challenges and opportunities identified by main stakeholders (bottom up). Naked Innovations is working with each Living Lab to create and implement Shared Agendas within the project through the delimitation of territory, creation of advocacy groups, and definition of a shared future vision.

Naked Innovations: Bridging the Gaps

At the heart of PRIMED’s success is collaboration, and that’s where Naked Innovations comes in. We’re all about bringing people together to create ecosystems that work. We’re helping the Living Labs implement Shared Agendas, working closely with each one to define territories, build advocacy groups, and create a shared vision for the future. With our experience in building innovation networks, we’re connecting the dots between governments, businesses, universities, and civil society. We have also designed an open-access toolbox which acts as a repository for CBMBs, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration. 

Why Focus on Territorial Development?

Various territories across Europe are facing tough challenges—think depopulation, high unemployment, and rising social inequality. PRIMED is taking a fresh approach to these issues by focusing on circular solutions that benefit these territories’ economies and put social sustainability front and centre. By turning underused biomass—like agricultural by-products and residues—into new products, these regions can promote sustainable bio-based alternatives. That means more jobs, more local businesses, and a more resilient economy.

A Blueprint for a Sustainable Tomorrow

PRIMED isn’t just about today’s challenges; it’s about setting the stage for a greener future. By aligning with Europe’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), PRIMED is showing how rural regions can thrive while making a positive impact on the environment. And as part of the project, we at Naked Innovations are excited to be helping shape this new, more inclusive bioeconomy.

Conclusion

Rural regions across the EU face challenges like depopulation, high unemployment, and social inequality. PRIMED aims to address these issues by promoting circular solutions that benefit rural economies and integrate social considerations into new value chains. By valorising underutilised biomass—such as side streams, by-products, and residues—these regions can create low-cost, eco-friendly alternatives to fossil-based inputs, generating economic opportunities and fostering more sustainable value chains.

Through the PRIMED project, Naked Innovations  is building a blueprint for sustainable development in rural communities, helping to shape a greener, more inclusive bioeconomy across Europe.