Transitioning to a Circular Economy Safely and Sustainably: A Qualitative Exploration of System Barriers and Drivers for Industrial Biotechnology in the EU
Flaherty, Denise Hoefnagel, Iduna Hogervorst, Petra AM Klaassen, Pim
Flaherty, Denise
Hoefnagel, Iduna
Hogervorst, Petra AM
Klaassen, Pim
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date of publication
2025-03-21
Year of publication
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Transitioning to a Circular Economy Safely and Sustainably: A Qualitative Exploration of System Barriers and Drivers for Industrial Biotechnology in the EU
Translated Title
Published in
Sustain Circ NOW 2025; 2:a25409377
Abstract
Innovations in industrial biotechnology promise great potential for contributing to the circular economy as they can reduce our dependence on fossil-based raw materials. However, their environmental impacts and sustainability benefits can differ greatly. Therefore, it is important to consider the values of safety and sustainability when designing innovative applications for the circular economy transition.
Transitions like the one from a linear to a circular economy are shaped by the dynamics between political, societal, economic, and technological developments. Insights from actors working with industrial biotechnology innovation or policies are useful to explore the barriers and drivers of legislation, culture, and the market in a circular economy transition.
Results indicate that sustainability legislation, genetically modified organism (GMO) legislation, governmental policies, and societal resistance hinder early research and development and appear to delay sustainable industrial biotechnology applications from entering the European market. But the tide might be changing. As market and societal actors are learning how to navigate the tensions between safety and sustainability, they more openly underscore the sustainability benefits of using genetically modified microorganisms over potential risks to environmental and human safety. European policy and legislation are beginning to recognize the need for integrated policies that align safety, sustainability, and circularity needs.