Bioeconomy and digitalisation

Abstract

Mistra continuously strives to invest in research programmes with great relevance for developments in society and industry and with strong pertinence for solving environmental problems. In response to a number of contacts with various representatives from industry and forestry owners associations together with studies of current trends in research literature, the bioeconomy was identified as an area of particular interest. Concurrent rapid development of the IT sector and the digitalisation of society opens new opportunities for the future, often termed the next industrial revolution. The coupling of these two areas, the bioeconomy and digitalisation, seems a logical step forwards.

A workshop arranged by Mistra together with the Swedish Forest Industries Federation further confirmed the relevance of conjoining bioeconomy and digitalisation. Mistra’s board of trustees, therefore, commissioned a background paper covering the relevant topics with a view to publishing a call for research proposals. This background paper has been written by a group of experts representing disciplines expected to be covered by the proposals.

Mistra envisages a programme which covers a wide range of topics at different levels. Topics could vary widely and range from the source and processing of biomass, increasing the value of the bio-base through the introduction of new classes of products, to digitalisation of the biomass processing industry, which is already ongoing, to attitudes of consumers and market partners. It is clear that researchers preparing proposals in response to a call have greater knowledge of the particular details to be addressed. The background paper should, therefore, be read as an opener to the potential field of research rather than a limitation thereof.