Biomass, Biocircularity and EU Strategic Autonomy

As National Chair of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), it is a true honour to welcome you to this premier platform for scientific, industrial, and policy dialogue in the fields of biomass, biocircularity, and the bioeconomy. At a time when Europe faces pressing geopolitical, environmental, and economic challenges, the role of biomass in securing our strategic autonomy has never been more crucial.

Organic matter contained in biomass is more than just a renewable source; it is a cornerstone of biocircularity — a transformative model that integrates sustainability, innovation, industrialisation, and territorial resilience. By advancing the industrial deployment of local bioenergy, biogases, advanced biofuels and bio-based products, we are not only reducing our dependence on external fossil resources, but also strengthening regional competitiveness and reinforcing energy security across the continent.

In this context, biocircularity is emerging as a key pillar of Europe’s green transition. It offers solutions rooted in local resources, driven by scientific excellence, accelerated through industrialisation, and capable of delivering tangible benefits to communities. These solutions range from producing advanced liquid biofuels for the road, aviation, and maritime sectors; biomethane for injection into existing gas infrastructures, to integrated biorefineries generating high-value-added products, and circular carbon capture systems. Each of these technologies plays a decisive role in building a more autonomous, sustainable, and resilient Europe.

The EUBCE conference serves not only as a forum for sharing knowledge, but also as a catalyst for collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers. This year, we invite you to engage actively in discussions, explore new synergies, and contribute to shaping the future of a biocircular Europe. Let us harness the full potential of biocircularity to fulfil the promise of a just, green, and strategically secure transition.

Together, we are laying the foundations for a resilient Europe — one that is energy independent, economically dynamic, and environmentally sound.

Welcome to EUBCE.

Margarita de Gregorio
National Chair, EUBCE
Secretary General, Bioplat, Spanish Technology and Innovation Platform on Biocircularity
CEO, Biocirc, Spanish Biocircularity Association

Margarita de Gregorio is a recognised Spanish professional in renewables, biocircularity, and sustainability. She holds a PhD in the Economy of Natural Resources and a background in Environmental Engineering. Since 2007, she has served as the General Secretary of the Spanish Technology and Innovation Platform in Biocircularity (BIOPLAT). In 2016, she also took on the role of Technical Secretary at the European Alliance for Research Excellence in Sustainable Bioenergy (EERA Bioenergy). Currently, she is the CEO of the Spanish Association of Biocircularity (BIOCIRC), the voice of bioenergy, renewable gases, biofuels and synthetic fuels, bio-based products and biorefineries in Spain. In 2024, she was appointed President of the Spanish Alliance for the Sustainability of Air Transport (AST) and representative of Spain in the Technical Advisory Group of Mission Innovation.