The BIT promotes the circular agricultural and forestry bioeconomy

On March 25th and 26th, Vic will become the epicenter of the debate on applied economics in the region with the 5th edition of the BIT Congress. The event, which has been fostering reflection and connections between strategic local sectors for five years, will address two key themes this year in the agri-food and forestry fields. BIT AGRO and BIT FOREST will be the new sections of BIT 2026, aimed at professionals, companies, and institutions in the agri-food and livestock sectors, as well as stakeholders in the forestry, wood, and bioconstruction sectors, with a program tailored to their specific needs and interests. This new edition aims to chart a new course in the development and future of a well-established and rapidly expanding congress. "This year we have reinvented ourselves by starting to work with two very distinct themes, whereas previously we defined bioeconomy in a very general way," explains BIT Director Carme Sáez.

Sáez defines the new BIT as a "key meeting place" within the bioeconomy action plan for our region, while also aiming to provide solutions and implement new avenues of action beyond academia to connect projects, initiatives, and stakeholders working to transform the region's biological resources into economic activities. "The main objective of this congress is to encourage economic activity, which is why we're talking about bioeconomy." The BIT also seeks to "position Osona as an active region in this debate."

The choice of the agricultural and forestry sectors is not accidental. With agri-food accounting for around 20% of GDP and considering that nearly 64% of Catalonia is forested, it seems clear that the bioeconomy is a key element for transforming all these resources into economic activity. As Carme Sáez explains, "from the very beginning, we envisioned BIT as a community" with a directory of individuals and companies to connect with and promote both public and private initiatives. Furthermore, "we want to incorporate the BIT 360 brand," a kind of seal that highlights the importance of the bioeconomy "to raise awareness of what the bioeconomy is, what its advantages are, and to create a narrative of acceptance among the public."

The BIT Congress is organized by the Government of Catalonia, the Vic City Council, and Vicfires, with co-organization by the BETA Technology Center, BioHub Cat, the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia (CBC), and the Barcelona Provincial Council. This fifth edition also has the support of Banco Santander. As in previous years, it coincides with the Mercat del Ram (Ram Market) due to its "great symbolic value and appeal, especially for the public and farmers." "What we want is for this long-standing fair to connect with the more innovative side, with new projects, and for new opportunities to ultimately emerge from this contact with innovation and sustainability," Sáez emphasizes.

Francesca Famadas, Head of Forest Management Area. Government of Catalonia: "In fifteen years, forests could be key to the green economy"

Catalonia is a predominantly forested region: 65% of its territory is covered by forests, a figure that has grown in recent decades due to the abandonment of agricultural activity. Francesca Famadas warns that many of these forests are young, dense, and poorly managed, with a large accumulation of biomass that "makes them vulnerable to large fires, drought, and pests in a context of climate change." In this scenario, the main challenge is making forest management economically viable. With 75% of the forests privately owned, their upkeep depends directly on the profitability of the work. "If there is no economic return, it is very difficult to manage them," she points out. This lack of activity has direct consequences for the health of ecosystems and the security of the territory, and "if the forest generates value, we also guarantee its conservation." The forest bioeconomy opens new opportunities to reverse this situation. "Beyond traditional uses, the challenge is to transform forest resources into higher value-added products capable of competing with fossil fuels." Biomass production for energy is already "a reality," and bioconstruction with structural timber allows for the revaluation of local resources and a reduction in the carbon footprint, thanks to the Hub Forestal de Catalunya technological innovation center. Cork and truffle cultivation are other sources of funding, while tools such as climate credits can compensate for the environmental services provided by forests. All of this reinforces the need for active management that reduces the risk of fires, improves the water cycle, and fosters more resilient forests. "In ten or fifteen years, forests can be key to the green and circular economy and act as providers of renewable materials and clean energy." Sergi Torrent Manager of the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia"We must empower the primary sector and place it at the heart of the bioeconomy."

The bioeconomy represents a real opportunity to transform the production model in agri-food regions like Catalonia. Sergi Torrent emphasizes that it allows for the valorization of waste and byproducts—such as livestock manure or agricultural byproducts—by converting them into energy, fertilizers, or new materials. "This generates local economic activity and brings us closer to more circular and resilient models," he explains. This change goes beyond technology and requires rethinking the relationship with the land. "We're talking about how to make economic activity viable in rural environments while maintaining a balance with the environment." The valorization of byproducts, such as olive oil waste, can improve the profitability of farms and strengthen the productive fabric. Despite the potential, the main obstacle "is not so much technological as regulatory." Current regulatory frameworks, designed for a linear economy, hinder the integration of agricultural production and industrial processing. This creates uncertainty and discourages innovative projects. "A stable and adapted environment is necessary," he points out, as well as new hybrid spaces—such as bio-industrial parks—that facilitate proximity between resources and economic activity. Waste becomes a central element of the production system. "What is waste in one process becomes a resource in another," he states. Biogas is a clear example: it transforms waste into renewable energy and fertilizers, closing the nutrient cycle and generating new opportunities. It is a "mature" technology, with a track record in other European countries, so the challenge is to implement it and adapt it to the local context. The bioeconomy and bioenergy are key in the fight against climate change and decarbonization, but they can also "generate economic activity in rural areas and reduce dependence on external resources." Therefore, "the primary sector must be empowered and positioned at the center," given that more agile regulation is key.