Rapid growth in Europe’s biorefinery sector – new nova-Institute report commissioned by Cepi highlights main results for the pulp and paper industry

A new study conducted by the nova-Institute and commissioned by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) reveils a significant upsurge in the European biorefinery sector, with forest-based biorefineries more than doubling their turnover to €6 billion since 2020. This remarkable growth underlines the growing demand for sustainable, bio-based alternatives to fossil-based products.

The report, which focuses on the pulp and paper industry that produce additional bio-based products which land on the market beyond pulp and paper, identifies a total of 143 biorefineries across Europe, with 126 currently operational and 17 in development. Most biorefineries are located in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Portugal and Austria. The study points to a bright future for biorefineries, with projected annual growth rates of up to 5% until 2050.

The products of these biorefineries provide sustainable solutions in industries ranging from aviation to textiles and fashion, offering alternatives in materials, chemicals, fuels, food, and pharmaceuticals. Importantly, biorefineries are contributing to Europe’s climate change goals, with bio-based products already replacing over 3.1 megatonnes of CO₂ emissions that would have been produced by fossil-based industries.

The study emphasises that these advances are not replacing traditional pulp and paper activities but are creating new revenue streams and increasing resource efficiency, providing a pathway to sustainable economic growth.

The nova-Institute plays a key role in advancing the bio-based economy by providing in-depth research and strategic insight into sustainable technologies and industries. Through its comprehensive studies, such as the recent report commissioned by Cepi, the nova-Institute highlights significant growth trends and technological advancements in sectors like the European biorefinery industry. nova’s research not only quantifies economic impacts, such as in this case the doubling of turnover in wood fibre-based biorefineries, but also shows how bio-based innovations are helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve resource efficiency, and meeting Europe’s climate change targets. By shedding light on these developments, the nova-Institute is helping industry and policy makers shape a more sustainable future.

Jori Ringman, Director General of Cepi, praised the findings: “There is a lot more than can be done with a tree now than we knew just a decade ago, and there is also a lot more demand for products that are aligned with the planet. No other industry can bring together both the scale and the know-how when it comes to innovative bio-based products.” He continues, “For Europe, biorefineries present a promising growth potential, as only new technologies can readily help European economy to grow. Bioeconomy, and in particular the pulp and paper industry biorefineries, are leading the way.”

You can find the full report here: https://renewable-carbon.eu/publications/product/innovative-bio-based-products-for-a-clean-transition-pdf/.

All commercial reports from nova-Institute are available at https://renewable-carbon.eu/commercial-reports.

You can find the press release from Cepi here: https://www.cepi.org/press-release-wood-fibre-based-biorefineries-double-turnover-in-3-years-to-e6-billion/