The Role of Industrial Revival in Untapping the Bioeconomy’s Potential in Central and Eastern Europe

The bioeconomy occupies the centre of Green Deal, EU’s plan to support transformative growth following COVID-19 episode. However, parts EU, such as countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) continue lag behind harnessing potential held by bioeconomy. This article argues that CEE countries, where primary conventional sectors play a more important role, ‘early’ transition pathways improvements productivity practice- well commercialisation-oriented innovation (the do–use–interact model: DUI) are just approaches based on (generally publicly supported) R&D, adoption, technology transfer (science–technology–innovation STI), typically associated with high-value bioindustrial applications. argument is tested conducting survey 352 experts region gives an insight into macro-region’s assets respect deploying bioeconomy’s assessing relevant better performance (primary, manufacturing, other related) sectors. results show particular relevance consolidating traditional vertical horizontal interaction DUI, while STI mostly linked advanced sectors, which narrowly distributed across region. findings policy given has thus far chiefly focused corresponds needs at stages developing bioeconomy, but less appropriate for specific context CEE.