Biofuels, Bioenergy & Bioeconomy

Europe has outlined a well-defined strategy for the development of bioeconomy in order to places EU enterprises at the forefront of the new phase of economic development. In this strategy, biofuels play a central role since they allow the capitalization of a vast industry sector with a systemic effect on R&D into biomass chain. In this way, Europe absorbs experiences abroad. Argentina and Brazil occupy a prominent position among the largest exporters of commodities, biofuels inclusive. Do they recognize the potential of biofuels as a fomenter of the bioeconomy following the European model? Do they have strategies to transition to a new economy phase in order to improve their positions in world’s wealth distribution? The aim of this analysis is to discuss the potential of biofuels as fomenters of bioeconomy in both countries and provide answers for the research questions in order to evaluate the strategies and barriers to their executions. Among the potential obstacles, the analysis highlights the fact that both countries have recently become major producers of fossil energy, that is, oil exploitation in Brazilian coast, and, shale gas in Argentinian Patagonia. A great attracting force of fossil fuels and the emergence of oil populism have placed these countries into a furcation position to invest in innovation in bioenergy and biomaterials or develop traditional industries linked to fossil fuels.