New PROMICON policy brief highlights social benefits of microbiome-based bioproducts

PROMICON has released a new policy brief addressing the social performance of microbiome-based bio-based products and their potential to support broader societal acceptance and market integration. The brief is also available on the Horizon Results Platform.

The policy brief presents findings from a Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of four bio-based product categories—additives, bioplastics, pigments, and hydrogen—produced using microbiome-based methods. The analysis covered nine scenarios across food and non-food applications, with a focus on five key stakeholder groups: workers, consumers, local communities, value chain actors, and society at large.

Key findings include:

• All the scenarios analysed showed good performance for workers (health and safety), consumers (quality and performance, acceptability) and the local community (number of jobs generated).

• High consumer acceptance and documentation of sustainability practices as drivers of social performance.

• Greater public and policy interest in non-food applications.

The brief outlines recommendations for increased funding, targeted policy support, and broader demonstration efforts to accelerate the responsible development and uptake of these technologies.