Received: 2022-12-15  |  Accepted: 2023-03-15  |  Published: 2023-03-30

Title

Circular bioeconomy in Egypt: the current state, challenges, and future directions


Abstract

The concept of circular bioeconomy or bio-based circular economy is an integrated concept of circular economy and bioeconomy. In other words, it alludes to a systematic approach to economic growth that makes use of cascading biomass production from biological resources. In order to fulfil the objectives of sustainable development and the circular bioeconomy in Egypt, it is recommended that the bioeconomy be focused on as an economy of societal value in this article. It also discusses future directions and actions that can be used in this regard. This paper presents the current situation of the development of circular bioeconomy in Egypt and discuss future directions and measures that can be exploited and recommends focusing on the bioeconomy as an economy of societal value, enabling the achievement of the goals of sustainable development and the circular bioeconomy. Although there is no specific strategy for the bioeconomy, there are numerous government initiatives aiming to benefit from it in the future.


Keywords

circular economy, bioeconomy, circular bioeconomy, bio strategy, Egypt


JEL classifications

O10 , O55


URI

http://jssidoi.org/ird/article/128


DOI


Pages

97-112


Funding

This research was supported by the project MC2 EU project EuropeAid Programme (ENI/2019/413-557)

This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Piccinetti, Leonardo
Sustainabile Innovation Technology Services Ltd, Limerick, Ireland https://sinnovations.org
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Rezk, Mohamed Ramadan A.
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt http://www.asrt.sci.eg
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Kapiel, Tarek Y. S.
Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://cu.edu.eg
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Salem, Nahed
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt http://www.asrt.sci.eg
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Khasawneh, Anas
Sustainabile Innovation Technology Services Ltd, Limerick, Ireland https://sinnovations.org
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Santoro, Donatella
Rete Europea dell'Innovazione (REDINN), Rome, Italy https://www.redinn.it
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Sakr, Mahmoud M.
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt http://www.asrt.sci.eg
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Journal title

Insights into Regional Development

Volume

5


Number

1


Issue date

March 2023


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 1138  |  PDF downloads: 352

References


Abdelgafar, B., Thorsteinsdóttir, H., Quach, U., Singer, P. A., & Daar, A. S. (2004, December). The emergence of Egyptian biotechnology from generics. Nature Biotechnology, 22(S12), DC25-DC30. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1204supp-dc25

Search via ReFindit


Abdelhady, S., Borello, D., Shaban, A., & Rispoli, F. (2014). Viability Study of Biomass Power Plant Fired with Rice Straw in Egypt. Energy Procedia, 61, 211-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.1072

Search via ReFindit


Abdulrahman, A. O., & Huisingh, D. (2018). The role of biomass as a cleaner energy source in Egypt’s energy mix. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 3918–3930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.049

Search via ReFindit


Adil, M., Nasir, A., Sikandar, A., Khan, N.M. (2022). Recent Advances in Circular Bioeconomy. In: Abomohra, A.EF., Wang, Q., Huang, J. (eds) Waste-to-Energy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91570-4_3

Search via ReFindit


Aguilar, A., Twardowski, T., & Wohlgemuth, R. (2019). Bioeconomy for Sustainable Development. Biotechnology Journal, 14(8), 1800638. https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.201800638

Search via ReFindit


Antar, M., Lyu, D., Nazari, M., Shah, A., Zhou, X., & Smith, D.L.(2021). Biomass for a sustainable bioeconomy: An overview of world biomass production and utilization. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 139, 110691. . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110691

Search via ReFindit


Ashour, S. (2021). “Circular Economy”: the economic and social benefits of its application in Egypt. The Egyptian Center for Thought and Strategic Studies. https://ecss.com.eg/17091/

Search via ReFindit


Aworunse, O. S., Olorunsola, H. A., Ahuekwe, E. F., & Obembe, O. O. (2023). Towards a sustainable bioeconomy in a post-oil era Nigeria. Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 11, 100094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resenv.2022.100094

Search via ReFindit


Bansard, J. & Schröder, M. (2021). The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/still-one-earth-natural-resources.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Biofuture Platform (2018). Creating the Biofuture: A Report on the State of the Low Carbon Bioeconomy. http://www.biofutureplatform.org/post/new-biofuture-report-global-greenhouse-gas-goals-out-of-reach-without-biofuels-and-bioproducts

Search via ReFindit


Birner, R. (2018). Bioeconomy concepts. In: Lewandowski, I. (Ed.), Bioeconomy. Springer, Cham, pp. 17–38.

Search via ReFindit


Bosch, M., & Hazen, S.P. (2013). Lignocellulosic feedstocks: research progress and chal- lenges in optimizing biomass quality and yield. Front. Plant Sci., 4(474). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2013.00474

Search via ReFindit


Brandão, A.S., Artur Gonçalves, A., &. Santos, J.M.R.C.A. (2021). Circular bioeconomy strategies: From scientific research to commercially viable products. Journal of Cleaner Production, 295, 126407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126407

Search via ReFindit


Brundtland Report, (1987) https://www.are.admin.ch/dam/are/en/dokumente/nachhaltige_entwicklung/dokumente/bericht/our_common_futurebrundtlandreport1987.pdf.download.pdf/our_common_futurebrundtlandreport1987.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Calvert, K.E., Kedron, P., Baka, J., & Birch, K. (2017) Geographical perspectives on sociotechnical transitions and emerging bio-economies: introduction to a special issue. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 29:5, 477-485. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2017.1300643

Search via ReFindit


Chavarria, H., Trigo, E., Villarreal, F., Elverdin, P., Piñeiro, V. 2020. Bioeconomy: A sustainable development strategy. G20, 2020. November 26, 2020. https://www.g20-insights.org/policy_briefs/bioeconomy-a-sustainable-development-strategy/

Search via ReFindit


Cho, R. (2017, December 13). The Truth About Bioplastics. December 13, 2017. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-bioplastics/

Search via ReFindit


D'Adamo, I., & Sassanelli, C. (2022). Biomethane Community: A Research Agenda towards Sustainability. Sustainability, 14(8), 4735. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14084735

Search via ReFindit


Egea González, F.J., & Torrente, R.G. (2022). Deployment of bioeconomy at local scale: Institutions, policies and actors. EFB Bioeconomy Journal, 2, 100030. ISSN 2667-0410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioeco.2022.100030

Search via ReFindit


ETEnergyworld.com, 2022. Praj, ESIIC sign pact to accelerate bioeconomy in Egypt. November 09, 2022, ETEnergyworld.com. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/praj-esiic-sign-pact-to-accelerate-bioeconomy-in-egypt/95389667

Search via ReFindit


FAO, 2018. Assessing the contribution of bioeconomy to countries' economy: A brief review of national frameworks. https://www.fao.org/3/I9580EN/i9580en.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) & European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). (2017). Sustainable bioenergy options from crop and livestock residues (ISBN 978-92-5-130023-7 (FAO). Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.fao.org/3/i8150e/i8150e.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Frisvold, G.B., Moss, S.M., Hodgson, A., & Maxon, M.E. (2021). Understanding the US bioeconomy: a new definition and landscape. Sustainability, 13(4), 1627. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13041627

Search via ReFindit


Gawel, E., Pannicke, N., & Hagemann, N. (2019). A Path Transition towards a Bioeconomy- the Crucial Role of Sustainability. Sustainability, 11(11), 3005. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113005

Search via ReFindit


Global Bioeconomy Summit, (2020). Expanding the Sustainable Bioeconomy - Vision and Way Forward. Communiqué of the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2020. https://gbs2020.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GBS2020_IACGB-Communique.pdf

Search via ReFindit


IEA. (2021). Renewable electricity growth is accelerating faster than ever worldwide supporting the emergence of the new global energy economy. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/news/renewable-electricity-growth-is-accelerating-faster-than-ever-worldwide-supporting-the-emergence-of-the-new-global-energy-economy

Search via ReFindit


Iskandar, l. (2021). How tech is helping Egypt's informal recyclers build a circular economy. Jun 14, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/technology-egypt-recycling-circular-economy/

Search via ReFindit


Kardung, M., Cingiz, K., Costenoble, O., Delahaye, R., Heijman, W., Lovrić, M., van Leeuwen, M., M’barek, R., van Meijl, H., Piotrowski, S., Ronzon, T., Sauer, J., Verhoog, D., Verkerk, P.J, Vrachioli, M., Wesseler, J.H.H., & Zhu, B.X. (2021). Development of the Circular Bioeconomy: Drivers and Indicators. Sustainability, 13(1), 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010413

Search via ReFindit


Kumar, A., & Kumar, S. (2020). The Circular Bioeconomy: An Emerging Sector of the Global Economy. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 27(2), 166-179. http://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2019.1680891

Search via ReFindit


Kumar, S., & Sharma, R. (2020). Circular Bioeconomy: A Comprehensive Overview. Sustainability, 12(7), 2862. http://doi.org/10.3390/su12072862

Search via ReFindit


Lemard-Marlow, G., & Wilt, R. (2019). Global Governance and the Role of Non-state Actors in Improving the Social and Economic Development of Growing Economies: A Conceptual Approach Using a Global Public Health Framework on Violence Prevention. In: Văduva, S., Wilt, R., Fotea, I., Văduva, L. (eds) Civil Society: The Engine for Economic and Social Well-Being. GSMAC 2017. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89872-8_11

Search via ReFindit


Leong, H. Y., Chang, C. K., Khoo, K. S., Chew, K. W., Chia, S. R., Lim, J. W., Chang, J. S., & Show, P. L. (2021). Waste biorefinery towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy: a solution to global issues. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts. BioMed Central. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-01939-5

Search via ReFindit


Maamoun, N. (2021, September 21). Alternative Policy Solutions | a Just Transition towards a Circular Economy: Existing Policies in Egypt. https://aps.aucegypt.edu/en/articles/735/a-just-transition-towards-a-circular-economy-existing-policies-in-egypt

Search via ReFindit


MIIC of the Arab Republic of Egypt. (2018). Bio Economy Strategy 2018 – 2022. Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, https://www2.investinegypt.gov.eg/en/publications/Bio%20Economy%20Strategy%202018%2022_English_Final_Version_18072018_Final_Version_18072018_.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Ministry of Environment. (2022). Implementation of the integrated waste management system https://www.eeaa.gov.eg/News/10485/Details

Search via ReFindit


Ministry of Petroleum (2022). Active initiatives in the petroleum sector, https://www.petroleum.gov.eg/ar-eg/media-center/news/news-pages/Pages/Mop_03052022_1.aspx

Search via ReFindit


Oguntuase, O. J., & Adu, O. B. (2021). Bioeconomy as Climate Action: How Ready Are African Countries? African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 2519–2533. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45106-6_82

Search via ReFindit


Pandey, J. L. (2020). Building the Bioeconomy Workforce of the Future. BioScience, 71(1), 9-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa124

Search via ReFindit


Qureshi, F., Yusuf, M., Kamyab, H., Vo, D.-V.N., Chelliapan, S., Joo, S.-W., & Vasseghian, Y. (2022). Latest eco-friendly avenues on hydrogen production towards a circular bioeconomy: Currents challenges, innovative insights, and future perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168, 112916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112916

Search via ReFindit


Ranjbari, M., Esfandabadi, Z.S., Quatraro, F., Vatanparast, H., Lam, S.S., Aghbashlo, M., & Tabatabaei, M. (2022). Biomass and organic waste potentials towards implementing circular bioeconomy platforms: A systematic bibliometric analysis. Fuel, 318, 123585. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123585

Search via ReFindit


Reim, W., Parida, V., & Sjödin, D.R. (2019). Circular Business Models for the Bio-Economy: A Review and New Directions for Future Research. Sustainability, 11(9), 2558. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092558

Search via ReFindit


Rosenboom, JG., Langer, R. & Traverso, G. (2022). Bioplastics for a circular economy. Nat Rev Mater, 7, 117-137. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00407-8

Search via ReFindit


Said, N., El-Shatoury, S., Díaz, L., & Zamorano, M. (2013). Quantitative appraisal of biomass resources and their energy potential in Egypt. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 24, 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.03.014

Search via ReFindit


Soledad Contreras (2023). Bio-based products are always better than fossil fuel-based products: myth or not? PRé Sustainability B.V. United Nations (2022, December). Biodiversity and ecosystems. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/biodiversityandecosystems

Search via ReFindit


Wafiq, A., & Hanafy, M. (2015). Feasibility assessment of diesel fuel production in Egypt using coal and biomass: Integrated novel methodology. Energy, 85, 522-533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.03.068

Search via ReFindit