The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioeconomy Grand Challenges

This compelling presentation outlines five grand challenges for the bioeconomy, setting ambitious quantitative goals. Novel targets include establishing a $50/ton universal standard feedstock and developing gasifiers capable of processing $30/ton feedstock into $60/barrel fuel. Successful policy must deliver a 40% carbon reduction and a $50/barrel Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to build “survivors”. The magnitude of the water economy challenge is noted, requiring 10 pounds of water per pound of starch or oils produced.