Going from a fossil based economy to a circular and biobased economy holds significant societal and industrial potentials. In a biobased economy fossil raw materials are replaced with renewable plant- and marine-based biomasses, and energy consumption is based on renewable sources, including sustainable biomasses and organic waste. The potentials include e.g. the production of new high-value products based on an innovative utilization of side streams and by-products as a means to avoid waste. At the same time, more resource-efficient production systems in agriculture and marine farming will ensure compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive as well as the climate policy. However, the transition to a biobased economy requires the development of bio refineries able to utilize the new biomass types as a basis for producing high-value products.

In May 2017, Aarhus University, Science and Technology, has established Centre for Circular Bioeconomy (CBIO) to carry out research and develop bio-economy production systems and recirculation concepts; e.g. bio refining methods and high-value products based on green crops, marine biomasses as well as residual and by-products from the agricultural and food sectors.

CBIO activities include research within the entire production chain ranging from cultivating and procuring biomasses, logistics, management, refining, product development and tests, recirculation, impact on nature and environment as well as research in relation to society and economy. In addition, more basic research activities are carried out, e.g. in relation to the understanding of biomass conversion at molecular level, supported by advanced chemical analyses.

Product examples comprise high-quality feed protein and other types of feed, biobased fibres for composite materials and chemical components such as bioplastic polymers. Furthermore, the extraction and production of ingredients and components for the food and pharmaceutical industries hold significant potentials.