The European bioeconomy holds strong potential for sustainable growth, but many innovations still face critical barriers when moving from research to commercial application. The newly published ShapingBio report, “Report on analysis of applied R&D and technology transfer” (Deliverable D2.2), outlines key challenges and strategies to accelerate this transition.

The report draws on expert input from academia, industry, and the public sector. Findings are based on desk research, stakeholder workshops, and individual interviews across most European Countries. A multi-actor group of 12-15 experts helped shape the scope and recommendations of the analysis.

Tailored support for each technology & innovation stage

The report proposes a more refined use of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) to better target support for low, medium and high TRL innovations.

• TRL 3–4: Early applied research and first industry partnerships
• TRL 5–7: Pilot and demonstration phases
• TRL >7: Scale-up and commercial readiness

This segmentation enables more focused policies and investment at each stage of the innovation journey, which are kept for the points of attention in the deliverable.

Key barriers to innovation

The report highlights four major obstacles about successful technology transfer:

• Misaligned collaboration: Differences in goals, timelines, and incentives between academia and business such as focus on publishing vs. commercialization often slow progress. Complex IP negotiations and trust issues add to the challenge.
• Regulatory complexity: Approval processes across sectors and borders are often inconsistent and out of sync with innovation funding.
• Lack of access to infrastructure and funding: Many SMEs struggle to access the facilities, expertise, and capital needed to scale their technologies.
• Administrative burden: Cumbersome grant applications, reporting, and legal processes deter especially smaller companies and newcomers.

Solutions for stronger tech transfer

To address these issues, the report recommends:

• Fostering trust and collaboration: Create better connections between researchers and companies, simplify IP agreements, and support partnerships through intermediaries.
• Streamlining regulations: Harmonize approval procedures and ensure regulators are trained in emerging bio-based technologies.
• Investing in pilot and demo infrastructure: Shared facilities (PDIs) help innovators validate and scale technologies affordably and efficiently.

Building a cohesive bioeconomy ecosystem

The ShapingBio report calls for coordinated action across research, business, and regulation. By investing in shared infrastructure and aligning efforts across sectors, Europe can unlock the full potential of its bioeconomy to deliver sustainable innovation and inclusive growth.

Photo credit: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant