A positive signal for a more integrated European biotechnology ecosystem
CO₂ Value Europe welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the future Biotech Act II and, in particular, the explicit consideration of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies within its scope.
The recognition of CCU marks an important step towards a more comprehensive approach to sustainable industrial innovation. By converting captured carbon into valuable chemicals, fuels and materials, CCU technologies are at the heart of Europe’s defossilisation pathway and should be considered alongside bio-based solutions in the future legislative framework.
The inclusion of CCU in the Call for Evidence is therefore a positive signal. The next step is to ensure that this recognition is translated into concrete measures in the future Biotech Act II.
Building bridges between bioeconomy and CCU
The Call for Evidence and the questionnaire developed by Fraunhofer on behalf of the European Commission already acknowledge the relevance of CCU technologies. However, several aspects require further clarification to enable the future legislation to fully harness their potential.
While the bioeconomy focuses on harnessing biological pathways to manufacture products, CCU captures carbon (including from biogenic sources) and transforms it into valuable products through both biological and non-biological conversion processes.
These approaches should not be viewed as separate innovation pathways but as complementary solutions contributing to the same objective: achieving climate neutrality while strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
Recognising the full scope of CCU technologies
CCU encompasses a wide range of conversion pathways that should be reflected in the future legislative initiative, including:
- Biogenic captured carbon treated through biological conversion;
- Biogenic captured carbon treated through other conversion technologies;
- Other captured carbon sources treated through biological conversion;
- Other captured carbon sources treated through different conversion technologies.
Recognising this diversity will ensure that the future Biotech Act II supports innovation across the entire sustainable carbon value chain.
CO₂ Value Europe’s recommendations for the future Biotech Act II
To unlock the full potential of CCU technologies, CO₂ Value Europe calls for the future legislative proposal to:
Clarify the scope of CCU technologies
The future Biotech Act II should explicitly include CCU technologies and adopt a technology-neutral approach aligned with the definition of sustainable carbon sources proposed in the Industrial Accelerator Act, recognising recycled waste, sustainably sourced biomass and captured carbon as complementary feedstocks for a circular carbon economy.
Introduce market pull measures
Innovation alone is not sufficient to scale new value chains. The Biotech Act II should introduce market pull measures that stimulate demand for both bio-based and CCU-derived products, enabling European industries to commercialise sustainable alternatives and strengthen their competitiveness.
Ensure legislative coherence
The future Biotech Act II should ensure consistency with existing and upcoming EU legislation, including the EU ETS, the EU Taxonomy, future renewable energy targets and the Industrial Accelerator Act, providing companies and investors with the regulatory certainty needed to accelerate the uptake of CCU products.
From recognition to implementation
The inclusion of CCU in the Biotech Act II Call for Evidence demonstrates growing recognition of its role within Europe’s innovation ecosystem. CO₂ Value Europe encourages policymakers to build on this momentum and ensure that the future legislative proposal fully reflects the contribution of CCU technologies.
Creating stronger bridges between biotechnology and carbon utilisation will be essential to deliver climate neutrality, strengthen industrial resilience and accelerate the transition towards a competitive circular carbon economy.
