The why and how of a circular blue-green bioeconomy integration

The transition to sustainable food systems requires innovative frameworks that move beyond siloed approaches to resource use. While both blue and green bioeconomies hold immense potential, their integration remains underexplored, particularly regarding circular product design for food and feed production. This gap limits the efficient valorization of waste- and by-products across these domains. The aim of this commentary is to outline why and how blue and green bioeceonomies should be converged within a circular framework. Drawing on case studies and recent advances, we adopt a conceptual approach to identify four ‘crystallization points’ for integration, which dissolve boundaries between ‘blue’ and ‘green’ and integrate both into a joint circular framework. This commentary highlights opportunities and challenges setting an agenda for future research and practice, underscoring pathways toward more sustainable, resilient, and resource efficient food systems. By integrating blue and green bioeconomies, it addresses critical environmental challenges while enhancing resource use and generating broader stakeholder benefits.