Growing Media Europe welcomes the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy

Growing Media Europe welcomes the adoption of the new European Bioeconomy Strategy by the European Commission, which sets out ambitious goals to strengthen food security, expand bio-based materials, accelerate afforestation, and boost circularity across the Union. Yet, within this vision, one essential sector risks being overlooked: the growing media industry.

Growing media are the hidden enabler of the bioeconomy. They make sustainable food systems possible by reducing pressure on limited biomass resources, they are indispensable for large-scale tree planting that underpins afforestation and sustainable biomass production, and they support resource-efficient horticulture and circular food systems. However, global demand for growing media is expected to rise dramatically—up to 400% compared to 2012 volumes—while the supply of raw materials is increasingly constrained. Without proper recognition and support, the EU risks falling short of its own bioeconomy objectives.

For this reason, Growing Media Europe believes that the Strategy must translate ambition into action. We call for three key priorities: recognition of the strategic value of growing media and soil improvers for circular food systems, resource-efficient horticulture and afforestation; encouragement of research, investment and incentives to secure sufficient volumes of sustainable biomass; and the establishment of a coherent legislative framework that harmonises rules across Member States to ensure a continued and reliable supply of growing media raw materials.

Growing Media Europe remains committed to working closely with the European Commission and stakeholders to ensure that the strategic role of growing media is fully acknowledged within the EU’s bioeconomy. Only by integrating this sector into the Strategy can Europe turn ambition into tangible results and achieve its goals for sustainability, circularity, and resource efficiency.