Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that make responsible use of the world’s finite resources, support an eco-conscious lifestyle and strive to make a lasting, positive social and environmental difference around the globe.
To facilitate the connection and collaboration between Bio-based Industries and Brands, the Biobridges project (https://www.biobridges-project.eu/) launched the bridge2brands initiative, an innovative format to connect brands willing to embrace a more sustainable approach in their business with bio-based industries and research players providing ground-breaking solutions to the specific challenges identified by the Brands.
After the success from the first edition of bridge2brands, where 25 bio-based solution providers pitched their innovations answering to the sustainability challenges of Procter & Gamble (P&G), Biobridges was thrilled to organise a second edition with Fiat Research Center - Fiat Chrysler Automobile (CRF-FCA).
The introduction of bio-based products and solutions in the consolidated business practice of a Brand is a complex process, which does not simply require innovative technologies from the supply side, but also regulatory and societal transformations based on a multi-actor process in which the involvement of brand owners is crucial.
In collaboration with CRF-FCA, the Biobridges project has launched the second bridge2brands call for innovative solutions to answer their specific needs with a view to introducing more sustainable solutions in their business.
More specifically, the identified sustainability challenges were relevant to:
The “call for innovation” phase, supported by intensive promotional activities led by Biobridges, was closed on 24th September 2020. Out of the 44 high quality ideas collected from Bio-based industries, SMEs, Start-ups, Research centres, and other bio-based solution providers from 18 countries all over the world, 26 were invited to the online international workshop on 27th-28th October 2020. They were offered the unique opportunity to pitch their ideas to CRF-FCA and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of their solutions in addressing the identified specific challenges towards potential market dialogue and business partnership with the brand. Collaboration among the participants was also encouraged during the event.
“This second edition of the bridge2brand event organised by Biobridges in collaboration with FCA, as well as the positive feedback from the participants, confirm the importance of our project in bringing together brands and industries, SMEs and start-ups and contribute to the creation of new value chains in bioeconomy.” (Alexandre Almeida, GLOBAZ SA, Biobridges project coordinator).
“The event was the result of an excellent collaboration between Biobridges and CRF-FCA, from the early stage in December 2019 to the organization of the workshop: sharing of ideas, discussion of contents and teamwork were the ingredients of success. The response of CRF - FCA was very important and resulted in the active participation of different departments from different countries in the workshop.” (Matteo Sabini and Serena Cheren, APRE - Agency for the Promotion of the European Research).
“Strengthening the value chain is one of the most delicate challenges in the world of bio-based materials. Putting suppliers already in the supply chain and new potential partners to the bridge2brand table helps to accelerate and expand the use of these materials in the automotive sector” (Vito Lambertini, CRF –FCA).
“A good and practical format of online event”
“This format is excellent for efficient communications. Short time periods help suppliers get to their point”
“Nice format. Direct and constructive”
“To get the opportunity to pitch our bio-based products to a major OEM. To learn of other companies progress and achievements in innovative sustainable materials”
“Good way to connect directly with potential corporate partners”
Biobridges organises an online event entitled “Bridging the bioeconomy cooperation gap” on 3th December 2020, in partnership with World Bio Markets. The webinar will endeavour to share with the general public the exploitability and sustainability plan of the Biobridges project assets in order to achieve a long-lasting impact that will be useful to bridge the cooperation gap among bioeconomy stakeholders. In this context CRF – FCA and P&G will share their experiences about the format bridge2brands.
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