BIO-2-PRINT Highlights Wool Valorisation at the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026

The Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026 (GBS2026) brought together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, investors and civil society at the Convention Centre Dublin to explore how the bioeconomy could support economic development, innovation and climate action. Organised by the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy in collaboration with the Government of Ireland, the summit featured high-level discussions and workshops on scaling bio-based solutions, strengthening markets and fostering international cooperation. Under the theme Bioeconomy for Socio-economic Transformation and Climate Action, it highlighted the importance of turning biological resources into practical solutions and new economic opportunities.

These priorities aligned with BIO-2-PRINT, an Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic project exploring how underutilised natural fibres could be transformed into feedstock for 3D printing in construction and manufacturing.

From Feedstock to Market: Building the Value Chain for a Competitive Bioeconomy

The 90-minute workshop explored the challenges of moving bio-based innovations from scientific research to commercial scale. Following an introduction by Floris Hoffmann of Avantium and a keynote on the barriers to market uptake, the programme featured five case studies covering feedstock from marginal lands, wool valorisation, biodegradable materials, bio-based polymers, and biomethane and nutrient recovery.

Michael Noctor, Education & Outreach Manager at Munster Technological University (MTU), presented the case study Wool as a Circular Bioresource, focusing on wool valorisation, value for farmers, product innovation and market development. The session also featured examples from the MarginUp! project, SAMCO, Avantium and RGFI, highlighting the environmental, economic, regulatory and market conditions needed to scale bio-based solutions.

The workshop concluded with breakout discussions on feedstock, fertilisers and energy, and end-of-life, followed by recommendations on the main barriers, enabling conditions and priority actions for developing competitive, circular and integrated bioeconomy value chains.

The discussion was particularly relevant to BIO-2-PRINT, as it highlighted the importance of creating value from underutilised natural fibres and connecting resource suppliers, researchers and industry. The focus on wool as a circular bioresource also complemented the project's work on developing natural-fibre-based materials for 3D printing, while underlining the need to combine technical innovation with farmer value, stakeholder collaboration and viable routes to market

Benefits for BIO-2-PRINT and emerging opportunities

The workshop explored how Irish wool initiatives—including REVEIRE, SPRINGWOOL, WOOLMARKED, BIO-2-PRINT, the LEADER Wool Partnership, European Wool Day and the Irish Grown Wool Almanac—were developing value chains and building the skills and connections needed to create value from wool, an underutilised resource. The discussions highlighted the importance of connecting resource suppliers, researchers, processors, manufacturers and end users to turn underused biological resources into viable products and market opportunities. These themes aligned with BIO-2-PRINT’s work on incorporating natural fibres into composite materials for 3D printing in construction and manufacturing. The workshop also reinforced the importance of combining technical innovation with knowledge exchange, stakeholder cooperation and commercial development to help bring bio-based materials to market and support more circular, resource-efficient value chains.