The Bioeconomy in Italy: Challanges for the Industrial Policy and Opportunities for Southern Italy

Many European countries are moving from linear to circular economic models. In this respect, Italy has proved to be very active by developing a thriving bioeconomy sector thanks to the dynamism of its private sector, trade associations, technological clusters and non-profit organizations. Indeed, until the launch in 2016 of the national strategy on bio-economy (in Consultation Draft version), Italy was lacking a structured vision on the bioeconomy. However, various institutional actors supported in various ways the development of the Italian green chemistry. This was achieved through the implementation of effective market push policies, that could now be implemented with public procurement actions and new economic tools especially within cohesion policy as envisaged by the Italian Bioeconomy Strategy. Moreover, the bio-economy has proven to be a powerful leverage tool for local and regional development. Of note in this respect is the particular dynamism shown by Southern Italy due to the presence of important research centers and of some cutting-edge production sites. Important opportunities come from second generation biomass, in which Italy is a leading European actor, that exploit waste and non-food crops in marginal lands. The latter represents an important challenge also in tackling organized crime.