The European Commission wants to hear from you about its plans to transform Europe’s industrial biotechnology sector.
The proposed Biotech Act II, due late next year, aims to help bio-based products compete with traditional fossil alternatives. It builds on the health-focused Biotech Act I by tackling industrial manufacturing challenges.
Right now, the sector faces serious headwinds. Bio-based companies struggle against established fossil-based competitors that benefit from large-scale production and decades of infrastructure investment. Fragmented regulations across EU countries add costs and complexity. Investors hesitate because returns take longer and technologies are still developing.
There’s an odd twist with biomass subsidies. Many EU countries heavily subsidize biomass for burning as energy. That drives up prices for biotech firms wanting to use the same materials to make valuable products. It’s one reason bio-based alternatives cost more.
The Commission is exploring several solutions. These include requiring minimum bio-based content in certain products, setting sustainability standards for industrial biomass, and cutting regulatory red tape. The chemicals sector could be first in line, given its heavy reliance on fossil materials. Plastics, textiles, construction products, and fertilizers might follow.
Officials say predictable timelines matter. Clear phase-in schedules would give companies confidence to invest in moving away from fossil inputs. The plan also promises to simplify existing rules, particularly for smaller businesses.
Europe still depends heavily on virgin fossil feedstock. Shifting toward bio-based and recycled carbon could strengthen the continent’s industrial independence while supporting climate goals. The cross-cutting nature of biotechnology means benefits could ripple across multiple industries.
The Commission has scheduled a stakeholder workshop and opened online feedback. Researchers, entrepreneurs, industry groups, NGOs, investors, and ordinary citizens can all weigh in. The consultation runs until June 10, 2026, through the “Have Your Say” portal.
Input will shape the impact assessment that informs the final proposal. Brussels particularly wants to hear from SMEs and industry players about practical challenges they face.
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