KBBE: The knowledge-based bioeconomy: Concept, status and future prospects

The article outlines the pioneering role of Christian Patermann in developing the Knowledge-Based Bioeconomy (KBBE), which was largely based on agriculture, forestry, fishery, and aquaculture to produce food and feed, bio-based fuels and chemicals. Later it was condensed into the concept of the Bioeconomy. Today, the focus is on closing material cycles, which has evolved the KBBE concept into that of the Circular Bioeconomy. In line with the European Green Deal it aims on the development of competitive, sustainable, and circular bio-based solutions while addressing climate neutrality, environmental performance, safety, and social acceptance and thus, respecting our planetary boundaries.The article will outline how this pioneering thinking triggered new collaborations among stakeholders working in different sectors across value chains, including private-public consortia, such as the international Cluster Industrial Biotechnology (CLIB cluster), which will be used as example of the translation of bioeconomy concepts products and processes.