EU funding required for commercial-scale pilot biorefineries

The EU’s goal should be the rapid application of new technology while adhering to the principles of sustainable development. The EU must find funding for commercial-scale pilot biorefineries in Europe.

The European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP) is, for its part, promoting the development of sustainable biofuels in the EU. The European Commission has launched the world's largest demonstration programme for low-carbon technologies (NER300), which will act as a catalyst for the demonstration of new low carbon technologies on a commercial scale (e.g. for second generation biorefineries). The NER300 will be funded from the sale of 300 million emission allowances held in the New Entrants Reserve (NER) of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The forest industry of Finland is a central participant in these activities with three concrete projects. EU will make decision of NER300-funding at the end of 2012.

Investments into R&D&I

The development of biorefineries requires strong cooperation between Europe’s public and private partners.. Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP) was coordinating a Star-Colibri project on biorefineries research. The goal was to gather together all ongoing European biorefinery ventures and find out what is going on outside Europe. New research strategy was also established. Negotiations to continue the co-operation are on-going.