Two Bioeconomy Projects Secure €10 Million from EU Fund

The European Union has allocated €10 million to two bioeconomy demonstration projects under the EU Just Transition Fund. This funding, announced on February 26, 2026, aims to foster sustainable development in Ireland’s Midlands region as it transitions from peat-based industries to low-carbon, biobased value chains. The initiative is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Both projects will anchor their activities in the Midlands, focusing on biomass procurement and industry collaboration. This approach is expected to generate local investment, create supply-chain opportunities, and facilitate skills development within the community.

Biochar, led by the University of Limerick, will receive €5 million to develop a sustainable biochar product. This initiative aims to demonstrate the application of biochar in agriculture, water treatment, and transport infrastructure. The biochar will be produced from indigenous biomasses, with large-scale demonstrations planned in the region. Additionally, the project will establish a high-level blueprint for a mid-sized biochar facility, paving the way for future investments and replication efforts in the Midlands.

Meanwhile, the Transform project, spearheaded by University College Dublin, will also be awarded €5 million. This initiative focuses on upcycling food waste and agrifood by-products in collaboration with the Circular Food Company and technology provider Somatech. The commercial-scale demonstration will take place at the Circular Food Company’s facility in Tullamore, County Offaly, enhancing sustainable biomanufacturing and job creation in the area. Transform aims to develop a replicable model that can benefit the wider agrifood sector, unlocking opportunities to produce high-value ingredients for both food and feed industries.

Peter Power, Head of the EU Commission Representation in Ireland, emphasized the importance of the EU Just Transition Fund in supporting the Midlands’ shift toward a net-zero economy. He stated, “The support announced today for two circular bioeconomy projects is yet another example of how the EU JTF Programme is drawing on the resources and expertise already available within the region to strengthen innovative ecosystems and to create high-value, sustainable jobs.”

Clare Bannon, acting director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, which oversees Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme, highlighted the significance of this investment. She noted, “This significant investment into the bioeconomy sector in the Midlands demonstrates the strong commitment of Ireland and the European Union to advancing a climate-neutral and circular economy at scale.” Bannon added that such large-scale projects not only foster innovation for a greener future but also support economic diversification and job creation.

The funding awarded to Biochar and Transform is part of a broader effort to transform the Midlands into a resilient economy. By promoting a circular economy model, the EU Just Transition Fund aims to ensure sustainable livelihoods and long-term benefits for local communities. The successful implementation of these projects will complement previous EU-funded bioeconomy initiatives in the region, further solidifying the Midlands’ position as a leader in sustainable development.