Bits and biomass: A roadmap to the digitalisation-empowered bioeconomy

Finland has excellent potential for becoming an international pioneer of the bioeconomy. Plentiful renewable resources and profound competence in their exploitation create a foundation for the development of new solutions that enable the transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. The realisation of this goal is promoted by the ongoing digitalisation process, which will make natural resource data available for the use of a wider group of operators and enable new, networked operating models. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and Natural Resources Institute Finland have drawn up this roadmap, which points the way towards a knowledge-intensive, competitive and collaborative bioeconomy making use of the possibilities of digitalisation.
We identified three transition paths to achieve a digitalised bioeconomy and presented sample cases connected to those paths. The transition paths are: 1) Smart biomass flow management, aimed at creating more value from raw materials through the implementation of digital solutions for the optimal use of raw materials, smart logistics and flexible production control systems. 2) Data-driven bioeconomy, compiling development needs related to the generation, analysis and refinement of natural resource data that promotes the bioeconomy. Digital solutions can increase transparency and support predictive decision-making. 3) Networked and collaborative natural resource economy, comprising the development of business models and digital platforms to enable the networked operations of bioeconomy actors.
Suggested measures for the various key parties were formulated in the course of roadmap work. Digitalisation requires fast action, agility and adaptability. In this operating environment, it is vital to adopt a culture of experimentation. Research should be steered towards the development of new concepts and anticipating the consequences of business models related to them. It is vital to identify customer needs and see services as an integral part of products. Authorities must adopt a predictive approach that supports the creation of new solutions. The promotion of innovative procurement is one way of promoting the change