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Pioneering research aimed at structuring bioindustry models in the Legal Amazon to foster the regional bioeconomy was presented today (16) during the Amazon Climate Week, held in Belém (PA).
The study, the result of technical cooperation signed in 2024 between IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) and ABDI (Brazilian Industrial Development Agency), was the subject of the panel “Bioindustry in the Amazon: from potential to reality”.
The project, which is currently underway, seeks to consolidate a concept that is still under development and provide input for the formulation of public policies that promote sustainable industrialization in line with the realities of the Amazon territory.
The research involves a field survey, using secondary data, questionnaires and active monitoring of bioeconomy ventures and new businesses, as well as monitoring strategic events focused on the sustainable development agenda in the region.
“Sustainable development in the region has been a priority agenda for both ABDI and IPAM. We’re not talking about any kind of industrialization, but rather a bioindustry that is compatible with the forest, which promotes income and job creation while respecting the territory, socio-biodiversity and local ways of life,” explained Rafaela Reis, IPAM’s Public Policy researcher, during the event.
One of the challenges identified during the research is the predominance of short production chains, based on the export of freshproducts with little added value. The aim is precisely to identify opportunities and bottlenecks to transform these chains into sustainable development paths, with wealth remaining in local territories and the Amazon.
“When we talk about structuring a bioindustry in the Amazon, we’re talking about building a model that values traditional knowledge, local innovation and that is aligned with national public policies and territorial arrangements,” adds Reis.
According to the researcher, the idea is not to copy ready-made models, but to create something regional, with the face of the Amazon. “Our research also considers aspects such as infrastructure, access to markets, the use of technology and the presence of small and medium-sized businesses with sustainable growth potential.”
Currently, the project team has identified more than 11,000 active businesses in the Legal Amazon, spread across all the states in the region. This data is being organized in a digital platform that will allow cross-analysis of production, the use of traditional knowledge, the stage of maturity of the businesses and their relationship with public policies. In addition to mapping and data analysis, the project plans to identify territories with high potential for the development of bio-industries, taking into account factors such as the availability of raw materials, social organization, installed technical capacity and the existence of local initiatives already underway. The idea is to create targeted strategies that enable sustainable businesses to scale up, combining innovation, environmental conservation and income generation in the territories themselves.
The project is helping to broaden understanding of the pre-competitive conditions needed for Amazon bioindustry to develop, such as logistical infrastructure, access to credit, professional qualifications and security.
“The bioeconomy in the Amazon already exists. What’s missing is creating the right environment for it to strengthen and scale up. We’re talking about policies that guarantee access, visibility, structure and opportunities for the enterprises that are born and resist in the territories,” Reis concluded.
This activity is a self-organized event of the 1st Amazon Climate Week and is part of the event’s official program. Find out more at: semanadoclimaamazonia.com.br
IPAM communications analyst*
