The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) has announced the publication of a new expert paper by the nova-Institute, titled “Benefits of Using First-Generation Biomass for Food, Fuels, Chemicals and Derived Materials in Europe: Science-based Argumentation Paper,” reports Bioenergy Insight
According to EUBA, the study confirms that the use of first-generation agricultural biomass — including cereals, sugar, and oilseed crops — for producing bio-based energy and materials brings significant benefits for food security, biodiversity, agriculture, and climate change mitigation across Europe.
The research notes that allowing farmers to sell crops across multiple markets enhances their flexibility and shields them from price volatility in any single sector. This market diversification, the paper adds, supports investment in innovation and sustainable farming practices while helping farmers remain profitable under changing market conditions.
The study also points out that using first-generation biomass for non-food applications can strengthen food security. It does so by improving market stability, generating valuable protein-rich by-products, ensuring the continued availability of food crops, and maintaining the long-term scalability of starch, sugar, and oil crops within the EU. The paper further suggests that such biomass could serve as an emergency food reserve in times of crisis.
On the climate front, the nova-Institute’s findings underline the crucial role of first-generation biomass in reducing Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels — an essential step toward meeting the EU’s net-zero targets, especially in the chemical and fuel sectors.
While second-generation biomass enjoys broad policy support, the paper notes that first-generation feedstocks remain more cost-effective and easier to scale, providing a faster path toward decarbonisation.
The study also highlights that food crops are among the most efficient uses of land for producing starch, sugar, and plant oils. By maximising yield per hectare, the approach reduces the overall land area required for agriculture, freeing up more space for nature and biodiversity conservation.
