Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025

Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 took place between 13 - 19 October 2025. The theme for 2025 was ‘Inspiring local communities for a sustainable, competitive Ireland’.

The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien, together with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, jointly announced the week.

Minister O'Brien said:

"Local communities are at the heart of Ireland’s circular bioeconomy. They are the innovators, the early adopters, and the drivers of sustainable change. By working with nature and making the most of our renewable resources, we can build a more competitive, resilient and sustainable Ireland. Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 is about celebrating that potential, sharing ideas, and inspiring action in every corner of the country."

Minister Heydon said:

"I am delighted to mark the eighth year of Bioeconomy Ireland Week, a key platform for highlighting the opportunities and benefits of the bioeconomy across our society. This week is an important reminder of how vital it is to develop greater awareness among our primary producers and the public of the bioeconomy. Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 is not just about ideas – it is about engagement, collaboration, innovation and action to ensure Ireland remains at the forefront of building a more sustainable, circular and resilient economy and I encourage everyone to get involved."

Events nationwide

In its eight year, Bioeconomy Ireland Week in 2025 was the biggest yet, with over 30 events taking place nationwide, both in person and online.

• a launch event on 13 October in Tullamore, highlighting agri-food bioeconomy business models and value chains and how to finance their development.
• a webinar on 16 October highlighting two new demonstration projects funded under the Shared Island Initiative that are developing innovative bio-based solutions.
• a week-long series of events targeting Transition Year students and the public that will take place in Bioeconomy Libraries all across Ireland.

To view the full list of events, see Bioeconomy Ireland Week Events.

Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 Launch Event

CAP Network Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine jointly hosted the launch event for Bioeconomy Ireland Week on Monday 13 October 2025.

The conference spotlighted the opportunities for growth and development in Ireland’s agri-bioeconomy value chains and business models. It also showcased how the bioeconomy can support local, sustainable, and circular bioeconomy development.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon T.D. opened the conference and stated that “Ireland’s bioeconomy is not just an idea for the future — it is the foundation of a new kind of rural opportunity, one built on technology, sustainability, and community enterprise. This means unlocking new value chains from grass, crops, forestry, marine biomass, and organic waste streams. It means reducing emissions, replacing fossil-based materials, creating new sources of income from ecosystem services, and creating new rural jobs and industries.”

The Minister also explained that “the Government has worked to embed the bioeconomy in every major national strategy” and that “we are now moving decisively from research to real-world delivery.”

To read a full report on the event, including the range of speakers who participated and a selection of photos from the day, please see Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 Launch Event

Organising Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025

Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025 was supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, in association with BiOrbic Research Ireland Bioeconomy Research Centre, Teagasc, Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Munster Technological University, Centre for Applied Bioscience Research, Circular Bioeconomy Cluster, Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, Climate KIC, Rediscovery Centre, BioConnect, CAP Network Ireland, and Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies.