The circular bioeconomy uses biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and advanced science to transform oceans, forests, and farmland into sources of food, biofuels, chemicals, and medicines. It offers real solutions to climate change, pollution, and rural unemployment—while driving sustainable prosperity. As the bioeconomy expands, it enables a transition to renewable resources and creates employment opportunities in rural and coastal areas.
Realizing this potential requires substantial investment in research, development, and infrastructure. UC Berkeley is uniquely positioned to play a central role in advancing the bioeconomy in California, the United States, and globally. The university is home to world-class programs in engineering, business, chemistry, and the Rausser College of Natural Resources. The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is pioneering applications of gene editing, while the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) has developed groundbreaking biofuels and new technologies in biomaterials, biomass refining, and precision agriculture. In addition, Berkeley supports startup incubators, fostering both research and entrepreneurship.
Berkeley also houses the International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center (IBMC), which focuses on the underutilized potential of marine macroalgae (seaweed) as a source of energy, protein, food, bioplastics, and as a mechanism for short-term carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling. Research at the IBMC aims to dramatically scale the macroalgae sector—potentially by more than tenfold. While IBMC currently supports global programs and partnerships, it urgently needs an anchor facility to host researchers, advance core projects, and develop educational and outreach initiatives.
That facility already exists! the Richmond Field Station (RFS) spans 140 acres on a peninsula between San Francisco Bay (to the south) and San Pablo Bay (to the north), Richmond boasts 32 miles of shoreline—ideal for marine research. The RFS is just six miles from the UC Berkeley campus, accessible in about 20 minutes via UC shuttle. With direct access to the water, RFS provides the ideal base for expanding Berkeley’s marine and macroalgae research.
In addition to the blue bioeconomy potential, the RFS already hosts several key components of a broader bioeconomy hub. It is home to Berkeley’s wood product laboratories, which explore new materials for sustainable construction—reducing reliance on concrete and cement, both major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Wood construction also sequesters carbon. The site enables experiments with drones, remote-sensing technologies, and autonomous vehicles, all essential for advancing precision agriculture, aquaculture and environmental monitoring. Facilities for testing earthquake resilience add further value.
Utilizing RFS addresses the severe space constraints on Berkeley’s central campus and allows the university’s bioeconomy initiatives to flourish. The site could host large-scale experiments in biomanufacturing and vertical farming, while supporting innovations in reusing wood waste as source of biofuel and biochar—critical for addressing California’s wildfire challenges. RFS already provides space for students to develop their own technologies and could further serve as a venue for teaching conferences, training, outreach, and international collaboration. For example, UC Berkeley faculty, working alongside colleagues from UC Merced and UC Riverside as well as global partners, are developing California oriented bioeconomy program focusing on improving agricultural employment quality and creating opportunities for coastal and Indigenous communities. We envision RFS as a hub for California and the world.
RFS activities have grown organically, but strategic investment is now essential. UC Berkeley has identified strong projects with sound plans and is ready to implement them. The IBMC is close to securing a 46,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility with laboratories and offices that could be shared with other units while serving as a foundation for expansion. However, additional resources are required for improvements and ongoing maintenance.
We are seeking individuals and organizations willing to support this effort and help UC Berkeley become a global leader in the emerging bioeconomy.