Food for thought: biomimetic sovereignty

Biomimicry, the use of living organisms and their remarkable properties as inspiration for innovation, has a long history. In recent years, scientific developments have reinforced the potential of this approach, in the fields of innovation, performance and sustainability. Mobilized by many private and now public organizations, biomimicry is proving to be a real strategic lever.

Yet it is insufficiently supported, both in terms of fundamental research and practical applications. Against this backdrop, it is particularly strategic to support the development of biomimicry and increase public investment in it. This is the prerequisite for making biomimicry a growth driver for companies, in the service of our sovereignty and excellence.

Find out more about the applications of biomimicry in innovation, performance and sustainability, as well as the strategic aspects of its application. We also take a look at the vital role played by public authorities in supporting the development of biomimicry, as well as an expert's view of the subject, so that you have all the cards in your hand.

Biomimicry, a long-standing reality but recently gaining ground in many fields of application

The term biomimicry (bios - life; mimêsis - imitation) was coined in 1950 by American researcher Otto Schmitt. It describes one of the first innovation strategies employed by human beings: observing and imitating their environment, nature.

Biomimicry is a multi-disciplinary scientific approach that draws inspiration from living organisms and their remarkable properties for the purpose of innovation. It is a variation on bio-inspiration, which is defined as a creative approach based on the observation of biological systems, in technological and industrial fields as well as aesthetic and cultural ones.

In addition, it offers a creative approach to designing innovative products based on proven natural mechanisms. By drawing on the effectiveness of natural solutions, this approach also considerably improves the technical and economic performance of products and processes.

Biomimicry also promotes a sustainable approach by imitating the ability of living organisms to optimize resources and minimize environmental impact.

Biomimicry is a scientific approach that needs to be supported, in terms of both fundamental research and practical applications. Scaling up the biomimetic approach would enable us to meet the challenges facing industries and businesses, at a time when resources are becoming increasingly scarce and the sustainability of products and processes is becoming a sovereignty issue.

Biomimicry, a strategic response for companies

The need for decarbonization, the reduced availability of essential resources (water, land, raw materials) and access to essential infrastructures are strategic challenges for companies today. Industrial responses to these challenges are increasingly emerging, from resource circularity and eco-design to the integration of sustainability criteria into operational performance approaches. The fundamental principles of biomimicry can accelerate these transformations: resource sobriety and reuse, adaptation to the immediate environment and to the diversity of immediate constraints, collaboration, etc.

The necessary support of public authorities

Biomimicry today represents a powerful lever for meeting the challenges of the 21st century in terms of product innovation and the sustainable performance of our economic and industrial models. In economic terms, it could generate 50,000 direct jobs by 2030, according to BPI France's October 2024 analysis (Biomimicry: a model for sustainable business innovation?). Above all, biomimicry is a scientific and industrial approach that is still in its infancy. The ever-growing knowledge of the living world, thanks to technological advances and increased knowledge processing, will only open doors to biomimetic innovations. In this context, public authorities must seize biomimicry as a vector of sovereignty.

Our viewpoint

Biomimicry appears to be a insufficiently explored toolbox by companies, especially industrial firms, to deploy and accelerate their innovation capabilities and strategies, but also as one of the most important pathways to breakthrough innovation to mobilize even more, both for for public authorities than for companies.

FOR COMPANIES

Integrate biomimicry into their innovation strategy (e.g.: natural performance right from the design phase);
Reinforce employee training on the principles of life ;
Prioritize bio-inspired approaches to purchasing (raw materials, equipment, tools).

FOR PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Direct investment funds towards biomimetic approaches (France 2030, Ademe Funds);
Support interdisciplinary laboratories in the field of biomimicry, with priority given to funding initiatives to promote biomimicry among companies;
Communicate the competitive advantages of biomimicry.

Download our experts' discussion paper Hugues Tourel, Constance Brosset and Quentin Messerschmidt-Mariet to go further!

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