NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS
NORCE
NORCE is an independent research institute covering areas within Climate, Energy, Environment, Technology, Society and Health, organized into four interdisciplinary and interconnected priorities: Sustainable Seas and Coasts, Climate and Environment, Energy and Technology and Safe and Inclusive Societies.
ID: 273093348813-71
Lobbying Activity
Response to Towards a Circular, Regenerative and Competitive Bioeconomy
23 Jun 2025
The Biotechnology and Circular Economy Department at NORCE welcomes the European Commissions initiative to renew the EU bioeconomy strategy. Drawing on our research and Norways thematic priorities in the next framework program for R&I priorities in biotechnology, sustainable (aqua)feed, and circular economy, we offer the following comprehensive input to support a robust, inclusive, and innovation-driven strategy. 1.Infrastructure for Innovation and Industrial symbiosis The transition to a circular bioeconomy requires not only new ideas but also the physical and digital infrastructure to bring them to life. The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy identifies limited access to research and technology infrastructure as a major bottleneck. We recommend: 1) Linking the bioeconomy strategy with the upcoming European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures (Q3 2025). 2) Accelerating the development of scalable regional biomanufacturing hubs fostering cross-sector collaboration. 3) Promoting industrial symbiosis by incentivizing bio-clusters and cross-sectoral partnerships. 4) Developing indicators to track transition to circular economy within specific systems and for industrial symbiosis performance. 2. Innovation-friendly regulation To reduce time-to-market for sustainable biotech solutions, regulatory frameworks must be agile, science-based, and innovation-friendly. We propose a) Simplified regulatory pathways for low-risk biotech innovations within the circular economy, particularly those with clear environmental and societal benefits, b) Harmonized EU-wide best practices to reduce fragmentation and uncertainty for innovators, c) Revisiting hazard-based cut-offs in regulative frameworks that currently hinder the use of beneficial technologies, such as enzymes recognized as Best Available Technology. 3. Operationalizing the 9Rs framework in bioeconomy policy The 9RsRefuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycleshould be embedded as a guiding principle in the strategy. There is need for systemic approaches that prioritize upstream solutions, by for example: a) Integrating the 9Rs into funding criteria, innovation programs, and public procurement, b) Promoting high-value reuse and upcycling of side streams and waste, especially in food and aquaculture sectors. C) Ensuring safe material flows by addressing contaminants, toxins, and antimicrobial resistance in circular loops. 4. Cross-sector collaboration A developing bioeconomy depends on access to capital and strong collaboration across sectors and disciplines. We support: a) Finance models and public-private partnerships that de-risk investment in early-stage and scale-up phases, b) Tailored financial instruments in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to support technology development and commercialization, c) EU RD&I grants that cover the entire TRL scale and that stimulate private investment and foster long-term innovation ecosystems involving research institutions and industry. 5. Regional-based Innovation and circular economy The circular economy is inherently local or regional, shaped by regional resources, industries, and ecosystems. Europes diversitysuch as Norways leadership in aquacultureoffers a strong foundation for place-based innovation. We recommend: a) Investing in regional centers and cross-border clusters, particularly in strategic areas like sustainable aquaculture, CO-based bioprocessing, and bio-based materials. b) Developing sector-specific circular economy roadmaps for agriculture, aquaculture, construction, textiles, and food/feed systems. c) Supporting the development of sustainable feedstocks from algae, food waste, and microorganisms. d) Investing in digital tools, sensor technologies, and biotechnology to enable new circular value chains. e) Supporting regional innovation platforms that build capacity, foster collaboration, and develop actionable roadmaps for circular transformation.
Read full responseResponse to Biotech Act
11 Jun 2025
The Biotechnology and Circular Economy Department at NORCE welcomes the European Commissions initiative to grow the EU biotechnology sector while upholding safety and biosecurity. Drawing on our research and Norways thematic priorities in the next framework programme for R&I priorities in biotechnology, sustainable (aqua)feed, and circular economy, we offer the following input: a) Infrastructure for Innovation The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy highlights limited access to research and technology infrastructure as a major challenge. We recommend linking this initiative with the upcoming European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures (Q3 2025), focusing on sustainability, digitalisation, and resilience. Accelerating pre-industrial biomanufacturing infrastructure across Europevia scalable, modular regional hubswill support startups and SMEs, foster collaboration, and ensure broad geographic coverage. NORCE contributes through access to infrastructure facilities like Risavika Technology Park, NBioC, NAM, and ATC, aligning innovation with industrial and sustainability goals. b) Streamlined, Innovation-Friendly Regulation To reduce lab-to-market timelines, regulatory frameworks must be streamlined without compromising safety. Aligning regulations with broader EU policy goals is essential. For instance, enzymesrecognized as Best Available Technologyface regulatory hurdles due to hazard-based cut-offs. We support simplified pathways for low-risk biotech and call for harmonized EU-wide best practices and innovation-friendly regulation, as proposed in the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. c) Financing and Cross-Sector Collaboration Cross-sector collaboration and access to risk-tolerant capital are vital for biotech leadership. We advocate for innovative blended finance models and public-private partnerships across all development stages. We support EARTOs call for EU RD&I grants to reduce risk and stimulate private investment, and for tailored financial instruments in the next MFF and RD&I programme to support technology creation and scale-up. d) Place-Based Innovation and Circular Economy The circular economy is local by nature, shaped by regional resources and markets. Europes diversitye.g., aquaculture in Norwayoffers a strong base for biotech innovation. We recommend targeted investments in regional centers of excellence and cross-border clusters in strategic areas like sustainable aquaculture and CO-based bioprocessing. This will enhance the Biotech Acts impact, strengthen food security, and build resilient and diversified supply chains. e) Skills for the Future Biotech increasingly intersects with AI, data science, and engineering. A forward-looking skills agenda is essential to close workforce gaps and drive innovation. We recommend prioritizing interdisciplinary education, training, and reskilling to equip Europes workforce for next-generation biotech solutions in health, sustainability, and food systems. To ensure that biotech can fully harness modern technologies, we recommend prioritizing investment in interdisciplinary education, training, and reskilling programs to close critical skills gaps in the biotechnology workforce. Conclusion To realize the biotech revolution, the EU must: a) Develop a mission-driven strategy integrating sustainability, innovation, and societal benefit, b) Ensure inclusive governance, ethical oversight, and stakeholder engagement, and c) Support Member States and EEA EFTA countries in aligning national biotech strategies with EU priorities and regional strengths
Read full responseResponse to European strategy on research and technology infrastructures
22 May 2025
Introduction, The sustainability of pan-European research infrastructures as prioritized by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) remains a challenge, as does keeping the EUs leading position vis-à-vis our competitors. We agree ito the overall problem definition entailed in the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures initiative. It is of utmost importance for Europe to secure funding for the creation, operation and upgrades of infrastructures as well as wide access to those facilities and services. Introducing herein, three national RD&I facilities listed in the Norwegian roadmap of RD&I, recognizing by the uniqueness and relevance in the national strategic areas of energy transition research. They are strongly linked by forming a roadmap capturing RD&I in the range of TRL2 - TRL8, as a result of a strategic long-term approach in developing and enhancing knowledge and competence within the domain of Drilling and well. The three RD&I facilities are linked together covering an entire physical full-scale infrastructure platform within drilling and well, as well as supporting the closure of the technology gap in the transition from traditional Oil and Gas to Geothermal, CCS and enhanced oil recovery. The infrastructures are carefully developed and integrated supporting all needs throughout the entire TRL ladder, from early-stage research to piloting in full scale environment. Finally, we make an argument that transformative upgrades of existing, critical infrastructure should be addressed as a key point in the Call for Evidence. OpenLab Drilling OpenLab Drilling is an advanced simulator for research and technology development within drilling and well operations, currently covering Oil and Gas activities, planned to further be enhanced to include hydrogen storage, CO2 storage, petroleum, and mineral mining. OpenLab Drilling enables research results to be simulated in a high-end simulator environment proving valuable results for next level, Ullrigg full scale infrastructure OpenLabʼs overall objective is to accelerate research and innovation, improve education, and facilitate the qualification and uptake of new technologies within the research areas: CO2 storage, underground H2 storage, geothermal energy production, petroleum, mineral mining, and automation, AI, and cybernetics within these and other domains. The secondary objectives are, within the aforementioned areas to a) improve energy efficiency, b) reduce GHG emissions, c) improve IT and OT security, and d) support development and demonstration of trustworthy automation technologies. Research needs in the value chains of hydrogen, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) are highlighted in the Norwegian Energi21 program and Oil and Gas of the 21st cetry, OG21, strategies. The OG21 strategy further points to the production of blue hydrogen with CCS, as part of the decarbonization of petroleum value chains. The hydrogen value chain relies on large storage facilities, including underground storage. Safe and efficient well construction, injection, storage and production, and well integrity in a life-cycle perspective is therefore a growing research field with large potential for knowledge and technology transfer from the petroleum industry. At the same time, the petroleum industry is undergoing a low-emissions transformation with a growing focus on efficiency and reduced GHG emissions. NorPALabs NorPALabs overall objective is to accelerate research and innovation, improve education, and facilitate the qualification and uptake of new technologies within the research and innovation areas withing Plug and Abandonment (P&A) of old Oli & Gas wells. Permanent well P&A with today's technology is extremely costly, both for operators and the Norwegian State. P&A also has a safety dimension, since plugged wells must remain tight in a long-term perspective. OG21 TTA3 and the Plug and Abandonment Forum in the Norwegian oil & gas associat
Read full responseMeeting with Massimiliano Esposito (Head of Unit Research and Innovation)
14 May 2025 · Discussion on the future Multiannual Financial Framework and the potential Framework Programme for research and innovation