Coninx, I.

Kranendonk, R.P.

English

Wageningen Yield 

Reflection report COP1
March 25-26, 2014
Straubing
1
Kaartje van 
locatie 
straubing
Developing a Bioregions network (WP5)
Community of Practice (CoP) approach 
WP 5 will develop the Bioregions network by using the approach of a Community of Practice. 
A community of practice is:
a group of people (scientists, practitioners, private businesses, policy makers) encouraged by joint activities, willing to share 
ideas, experiences and strategies on developing regional bioeconomy in order to develop a BioEconomy Regional Toolkit
‘Rules of the game’: 
• Joint activities are organised like workshops, conferences, field visits, webinars to discuss and to learn about certain topics 
related to regional development of biobased clusters. 
• These topics can pop-up at every stage in the BERST project and can be suggested by each of the CoP participants (continuous 
bottom-up process). 
• The CoP coordinators  (WP5 coordinator) collect these topics and decide when and where to schedule the specific topics. 
• Due to limited of time and budget, we have to settle some selection criteria to prioritize the topic agenda.  Issues that are mainly
interesting to put at the core of the CoP are topics:  
• that are key to the BERST Workpackage activities are given priority. 
• that many participants (large group) want to learn about 
Participants: 
• The BERST consortium exists out of 6 Bioregions that will be permanent participants in the Community of Practice, having a 
close collaboration with the scientific BERST partners
• Other Bioregions are welcome to join the Community of Practice and to participate in CoP activities at any moment in time. 
• Because it is the aim to develop the Community of Practice into a real Bioregions network that keep on existing after the BERST 
project, we will make connection with existing organisations and networks that will be the driving force of future activities of the 
Bioregions network 
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Introducing the reflection report 
What is a reflection report? 
Objective of the reflection report is to record and improve the Community of Practice in order to 
develop the Bioregions Network. We reflect in particular on the four key aspects that determines the 
Community of Practice.  
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Community: 
participants from business, government and
academia get to know each other in order to
form a real community in which people help 
each other and make use of each others capacities and
competences
learning as belonging
Identity: 
participants express the BERST project in their
organisation, region and networks. The CoP creates a 
common culture. 
learning as becoming
Practice: 
participants are brought in common practice
learning by doing
Meaning: 
participants share meaning and experiences and come
to common ideas and definities 
learning by experience
Overview
Results on 4 aspects of the CoP
4
Community: participants from business, government and academia. Objective is that people get to 
know each other in order form a real community in which people help and each other and use of all 
capacities and competences – learning as belonging 
- growth of the community. Some people from partner regions have attended at CoP meeting. Many 
people from the Straubing region have been mobilised and attended, even the second day. Day 1 
about 50 participants, day 2 about 25 participants. Total list of BERST has grown to 80 
- people have got to know each other better, by being together for two days, by interactions as well 
within the parts of the program as by the informal parts of the program 
- regions have been able to present their selves within the wp1 workshop. Straubing and Finland have 
participated in the Panel discussion.  
- we presented the common dynamic Cop agenda, made by all participants  
 
Identity – participants express the BERST project commonly and actively in their regions, organisation 
and networks. The CoP creates a common culture with  website and logo -  
- we presented BERST in the setting of biochemical campus Straubing and the Bio Economy network in 
Bavaria 
- we presented the website and the functionalities 
  
Practice – participants are brought in a common practice - learning by doing  
- we organised an excursion on the bio chemical business parc 
- we organised a site visit to the Clariant pilot industrial site 
- two workshops have been executed on wp 1 and wp2 
 
Meaning – participants share meaning and experiences and come to common ideas and definitions - 
learning by experience 
- we shared ideas, experiences and meaning on the drivers of bioregions and the initiators for cluster 
development 
Community
Mix of participants (57)
Participants Straubing region 
first name surname title institution, organization
Dieter Deublein Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.h.c. Hochschule München, Fakultät Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen
Abdallah Soubhy Ali Abd Raboh M.Sc
Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Chemie Biogener Rohstoffe, 
Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing
Andreas Löffert BioCampus Straubing GmbH
Carolin Riepl M.Sc. (TUM), M.A. Bioenergieregion Straubing-Bogen (only at 26.03.2014)
Claudia Kirchmair BioCampus Straubing GmbH
Doris Thurau Leiterin Regionalbüro Süd Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Dorra Hattab Student, Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing (Straubing Centre of Science)
Emna Gassem Student, Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing (Straubing Centre of Science)
Fred Eickmeyer Dr. AESKULAP GmbH, Geschäftsführer
Friedrich Heyder Dr. Ltd. OStD als Ministerialbeauftragter für die Berufliche Oberschule in Ostbayern
Georg Konrad Dr. FORNEBIK
Henda Fellah Student, Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing (Straubing Centre of Science)
Hubert Röder Prof. Dr.
Fachgebiet Betriebswirtschaftslehre Nachwachsender Rohstoffe, Hochschule 
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing
Jannik Vetter-Gindele B.Sc, WZ Straubing
Josef Sperl Dr.
Jürgen Häns Bereichsleiter Firmenkunden AOK Bayern - Die Gesundheitskasse
Ludwig Augenstein TopOil Bayern GmbH
Manfred Krä Bürgermeister Gemeinde Aiterhofen
Mario Rückl Leitung Netzwerk Glas Netzwerk Glas
Martina Wolf Entwässerungsbetrieb  der Stadt Straubing
Matthias Schneider Dr. Baerlocher GmbH
Michael Schmidt Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten 
Norbert Fröhlich Dr. Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing (also 26.03.2014)
Peter Baier SEHLHOFF GMBH 
Reinhard Höpfl Prof. Dr. GF ITC Deggendorf; Vorsitzender VDI Bayern
Reinhart Schwaiberger Dr. Geschäftsführer des Technologiezentrums Energie der Hochschule Landshut 
Solveig RETZLAFF Masterstudentin WZS
Therese Kastenhuber Naturhaus Naturfarben
Thomas Schleker Dr. BioCampus Straubing GmbH
Tobias Bieloch Master Student (2. Semester) Studiengang NaWaRo in Straubing
Wolfgang Dorner Prof.
Campusleiter, Technologiecampus Freyung; Professur für Informatik räumlicher
Systeme THD – Technische Hochschule Deggendorf Fakultät Elektrotechnik und 
Medientechnik
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BERST participants 25.+26.03.2014 
Arie van der Bent
DLO Foundation, (Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek)
Ben Gardiner Cambridge Econometrics Limited
David Arbelo Lautre Fundación Parque Científico de Madrid
Hilkka 
Laine
Keski-Suomen ltto (Regional Council of Central  Finland) 
Ida Terluin
DLO Foundation, (Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek)
Ingrid Coninx
DLO Foundation, (Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek)
Jan Smits Westland / Zuid Holland 
Jon Stenning Cambridge Econometrics Limited
Laura Vertainen JAMK University of Applied Sciences
Manolis Karampinis Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
Myrna van Leeuwen
DLO Foundation, (Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek)
Nikolaos K. Ntavos Region of Western Macedonia 
Peter Dovc University of Ljubljana
Peter Bijkerk Biobased Delta Impuls
Remco Kranendonk
DLO Foundation, (Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek)
Romana Marinsek University of Ljubljana
Ruben Guisson Flemish Institute for Technological Research
Wouter Wubben Westland / Zuid Holland 
speaker
Gloria Gaupmann Dr. 
Public and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Group Biotechnology, Clariant
Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH
Hans Jürgen Wernicke Dr. Vorstandsmitglied der DECHEMA e.V.
Manfred Weber Mitglied des Europäischen Parlaments
Markus Pannermayr Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Straubing
Sigrid Winkler Dr. 
TMG Upper Austria, Leiterin der Arbeitsgruppe “Clusters of Excellence” 
der EU-Strategie für den Donauraum (EUSDR)
Volker Sieber Prof.
Leiter des Lehrstuhls für Chemie Biogener Rohstoffe der TU München am 
Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing, Leiter der Fraunhofer Projektgruppe 
BioCat
Community
Suggestions CoP2
6
• Getting more private business on board
• Attracting new Bioregions
Identity
Building the identity
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Website and logo
Involving the media
Dissemination of 
flyer
Exposure on partner 
websites
Sharing on social
media/developing
virtual group
Practice
Gross list of topics for sharing and learning
Topics related to WP1: Potential of biobased economies 
(descriptors):
• what are the drivers of bioeconomy development? 
• what are the push and pull factors affecting bioeconomy
development?  
• how to measure or monitor bioeconomy potential? 
• what are the incentives of a region to develop a bioeconomy? 
• how do clusters emerge? 
• what are potential cross-overs between bioeconomy and 
existing industries? 
8
BERST consortium was asked about what topics they would like to share ideas with other
partners and EU bioregions
Topics related to WP2: Instruments and measures to deploy 
potential
• what measures and instruments are used by regions?  
• what is the effect of these measures/instruments?  
• how did the regions reach the stage of development?
• how to get things in action?
• how to involve private sector? 
• how to trigger market development?
• how to develop logistical network? 
• how to add supporting facilities and services to the region?  
• how to measure/benchmark bioeconomy? 
Topics related to WP3: good practices 
• inventory and selection of good practices
• learning about specific aspects: 
• business models and financing schemes
• cooperation within biomass value chain
• creating and improving (public – private) partnerships 
• the role of policy 
• cluster management 
• area/site development 
• how to scale up initiatives? 
Topics related to WP4: development of regional profiles
• common framework/views on biobased economy 
• what are the components of a regional profile? 
• how to realize other regional potentials by biobased strategy 
and instruments and measures? 
• practise the BERST tools – establish thinking, concepts, 
orientation 
• what partnerships can be developed among regions ?– looking 
for synergies 
• how do the regional partners like to receive and use the BERST 
data/tools?  
• how to link/match the BERST database with other existing 
databases? 
Practice 
Agenda of topics of CoP1
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• What are the drivers of bioeconomy development? What are the incentives of 
bioeconomy development? 
– Related activities: speakers’ presentations; panel discussion day 1; group
discussion WP1 
• How do clusters emerge?
– Related activity: panel discussion
• How to develop logistical network?
– Related activity: bus trip BioCampus site
• What is the role of policy? How to BERST partners like to receive data?
– Related activity: input session on instruments and measures
• How did regions reach the stage of development:
– Related activities: group discussion related to WP1
• What are good practices?
– Related activity: wrap up to gather list of good practices
New topics on gross list and suggestions COP2
• Topics 
• what is the definition of a bio-economy?
• what is the definition of regions and their boundaries?
• what are the boundaries of sectors?
• are we considering actual bio economy numbers and initiatives, or are we also taking 
into account potentials of bioeconomy? 
• large regions and large bioeconomy versus small regions and small BBE initiatives
• Suggestions:
• discussions by social media/email in between meetings
• getting partners ‘in the mood’ before meetings – definitions, formats, expectation 
management
• mix of activities was very welcome – combination of topics (biobased processing, 
economic and financial, more abstract and conceptual vs. very practical, 
governmental) 
• more time for interaction and dialogue between BERST partners
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Practice
Forestry biomass 
for renewable 
energy
Agro-chemistry 
and medicine Green 
chemistry
Biopharma/
life sciences
Meaning
Common conclusions on drivers of Bioeconomy
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Spain: market need, skilled workers, national
policy, resource availability (universities, ...), 
alignement between regional and national
government, goal setting and plan. 
Straubing: drivers are existing clusters, 
barrier is uncertainty
Macedonia: policy target, resource availability (agriculture/forestry), climate conditions
(solar energy is not optimal), market need (high heating need), taxation of fossil fuels, 
presence of energy sector, regional strategy, regulation with regard to minimum level of 
innovation, availability of different types of businesses
Westland: greenhouse availability, need to look for
new opportunities, governmental funding, 
matchmaking activities, mix of small and big 
companies
Central Finland: 
1. keeping the money IN the region 
2. Becoming independent: a small region like us is 
dependent on transport. 
The challenge is to become independent based on 
biomass value creation, for example to develop their 
own energy system. Driver is being close to each 
other: politicians, science and entrepreneurs.
Meaning
Messages to take home
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Success of bioeconomy development is determined by:
•stakeholders should support cause: being dedicated and committed
•support from local, regional, national and EU level
•collaboration/connection between regions
•collaboration between science (close by and multidisciplinary), policy, entrepreneurs and education
•cooperation between SME’s and big business 
•clustering 
•meeting place important to enable collaboration
#1 multi level/multi stakeholder 
collaboration and support
•money is enabling factor – money driven
•bioeconomy requires funding to buy grounds, to develop technologies
•the availability of the subsidies and other forms of financial support have a crucial role when company is 
choosing the location for the new activities
•but! investments must make sense 
#2 funding
•the key factor to successful bioeconomy is stable and wise political decisions
•importance of policy/politics in shaping conditions/making choices/ guaranteeing stability
•public support is critial for a transition to a bioeconomy
•we need a reliable policy towards bioeconomy to encourage investments 
•bioeconomy is a mid long term objective, goals should be kept and plans should keep focus but flexible in order 
to gain political confidence and support (EU level)
#3 reliable and stable
policy/political support
•access to feedstock must be guaranteed, ample biomass
•the reliability/availability of the raw material is essential element of success
•without biomass, there is no sense in building a bioeconomy region
•starting a biobased businesscase from zero is not an option - you need something to link with
#4 guaranteed biomass
availability/reliability
•good logistical network to access biomass, to connect spots
•presence of port or other logistics (river)
•good infrastructure
•Cost-efficient import of biomass and cost-efficient expert of final products
#5 logistical
characteristics/infrastructure
To conclude 
Common observations 
• high level of engagement 
• large commitment 
• good atmosphere and interaction 
• presence of WP leaders and regional contact person is prerequisite to build 
a good community
• regions are looking for what’s in it for me?
• regional partners differ (f.e. in terms of regional bioeconomy focus)
• scientific partners differ (f.e. in terms of very straight forward approach vs. 
more develop-oriented)
• we are still searching for direction, definitions, communality
• trying to find balance between project approach, formats and deliverables, 
and regional practices, realities, needs and interest
• lack of clear formats for and expectations to regional participants 
13


Reflection report COP1 : March25-26, 2014, Straubing

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Reflection report COP1 : March25-26, 2014, Straubing

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