At a Glance
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Innovation Valley | Plovdiv |
| Innovation Nexus | Eastern European Innovation Nexus |
| Lead organisation | Regional Bioeconomy Hub – Plovdiv |
| Supporting Bulgarian VIVA partner | Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski |
| Sister region | Västra Götaland, Sweden |
| Sister-region focus | Circular-economy manufacturing |
| Flagship area | Circular bioeconomy and agri-food transformation |
| Smart Specialisation | Bioeconomy, sustainable agriculture and circular agri-food value chains |
| Key technologies and approaches | Biorefining; biomass valorisation; bio-based products; biotechnology; AI and automation; digital traceability; renewable-energy production; resource aggregation; waste-to-value processes; circular logistics |
Regional Overview
Plovdiv is one of Bulgaria’s major agricultural and food-production regions and has a growing ecosystem around bioeconomy, biotechnology and sustainable use of biological resources.
The region has already hosted activity connected to European Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems. Within VIVA, Plovdiv contributes agricultural knowledge, bio-based value-chain expertise and practical environments for turning agricultural resources and side streams into higher-value products.
Regional Strengths
Plovdiv combines a substantial agricultural base with research capabilities, regional development actors and specialised bioeconomy infrastructure.
The Regional Bioeconomy Hub Plovdiv and Agricultural University Plovdiv provide knowledge and facilities relevant to agricultural innovation, biotechnology and circular bioeconomy development. The region also connects VIVA to wider Bulgarian and BIOEAST policy and innovation networks.
Innovation Specialisation
Circular bioeconomy and sustainable bio-based value chains
Plovdiv’s specialisation focuses on using agricultural resources more efficiently and creating value from biomass, by-products and side streams.
The regional model connects agriculture, food production, biotechnology, renewable energy and manufacturing. Instead of treating agricultural residues as waste, the bioeconomy approach examines how they can become inputs for biofertilisers, protein feed, renewable-energy products and higher-value bio-based materials.
Flagship Pilot
Agricultural innovation acceleration and circular bioeconomy transformation
The Plovdiv flagship will demonstrate how agricultural and food-production value chains can become more circular and digitally connected. It will combine bio-refinery principles with technologies such as automation, AI and digital traceability.
The activity will explore new uses for agricultural side streams and support collaboration across agricultural and adjacent industries. Potential application areas identified in the proposal include biofertilisers, high-value bio-based products, renewable energy and green logistics services.
Collaboration within VIVA
Plovdiv is part of the Eastern European Innovation Nexus with Alba Iulia and Central Transdanubia.
Within this group, Plovdiv provides bioeconomy and agricultural-resource expertise. Alba Iulia contributes digital technologies that can support traceability and optimisation, while Central Transdanubia contributes agri-food manufacturing and production-digitalisation capabilities. Together, the regions can develop more integrated and traceable circular food and bio-based value chains.
Sister-Region Partnership
Plovdiv and Västra Götaland
Plovdiv’s sister-region partnership with Västra Götaland connects bio-based feedstocks and agricultural side streams with circular manufacturing, textile expertise and system innovation.
The relationship can support exploration of bio-based materials, circular value chains and shared waste-to-value approaches. Plovdiv gains access to mature circular manufacturing methods and automation experience, while Västra Götaland gains knowledge of agricultural biomass, bio-based applications and emerging production environments.
Opportunities
Potential opportunities include:
- development of products from agricultural biomass and side streams;
- digital traceability and resource-management solutions;
- collaboration between farmers, food producers, biotechnology companies and manufacturers;
- access to research and testing infrastructure;
- participation in open calls and cross-border innovation projects;
- cooperation with European bioeconomy networks and regional innovation actors.
The region will be particularly relevant to SMEs and start-ups working on sustainable food systems, biotechnology, circular agriculture and bio-based manufacturing.
Expected Contribution
Plovdiv is expected to demonstrate how agricultural regions can build stronger circular bioeconomy ecosystems by connecting resources, research, industry and public policy.
Its contribution will provide VIVA with practical evidence on the development of bio-based value chains and the use of agricultural side streams across borders. This experience can inform replication guidance for other European regions with strong agricultural economies.