CBE JU drives sustainable growth by funding projects that develop circular bio-based products and materials from renewable resources. The partnership aims to boost Europe's competitiveness in the bioeconomy sector, create new green jobs in regions and address today’s environmental challenges.
At the end of 2023, CBE JU had supported a total of 161 projects.
57
Ongoing
21
Newly launched
22
Completed
The CBE JU’s impressive achievements were only possible thanks to the strong collaboration of our founding partners, the European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium, the CBE JU’s advisory bodies, our project teams across Europe and beyond, and our larger stakeholder community. Together, we have made an impact for a greener, safer and better Europe.
CBE JU is a unique partnership that does not exist anywhere else in the world. The demonstration facilities and flagship biorefineries that have emerged from the CBE JU are crucial steps in the innovation process. They provide proof that the research efforts will generate market impact, which is what we need to transfer our linear fossil economy to a circular bio-based Europe.
CBE JU is funding first-of-their-kind biorefineries and demonstration plants to help expand the European circular bio-based economy.
For every euro of CBE JU funding the programme attracts €3.23 in private investment.
1,550
Beneficiaries from 43 countries
35%
SMEs
25%
Universities and research centres
Would you like to take part in a CBE JU-funded project? Join over 1,600 members on the CBE JU networking platform to pitch your project idea, offer services, look for partners and schedule meetings with other members!
2 calls for proposals were launched with a €216.5 million total budget
• 40%: research organisations
• Almost 50%: private organisations
• 33%: small businesses
• 70%+: newcomers to CBE JU programme
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SUSTAINEXT
The newly launched project will build a flagship biorefinery to turn olive, artichoke and pomegranate waste and medicinal aromatic plants into bio-based ingredients for food, feed, cosmetics, fertilisers and other sectors. SUSTAINEXT will generate new business opportunities and jobs in Extremadura (Spain) where the flagship plant will be located.
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DEEP PURPLE
The project launched the EU's first purple bacteria photobiorefinery at a wastewater treatment plant in Linares, Spain. It purifies up to 350m³ of wastewater daily, producing 440 tons of bio-based products annually for cosmetics, packaging and fertilisers.
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VEHICLE
The project built a demo plant at Sweden's Domsjö pulp mill to convert hemicellulose waste into bio-PET, bio-polyesters, antifreeze and heat transfer fluids for various industries.
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EFFECTIVE
The project created bio-based polyamides and polyesters from plant sources like sugar beet leftovers. These materials, used in sportswear, swimwear, biking pants, and bio-based nylon car carpets, are easier to recycle and reduce CO₂ emissions by 28-45% compared to current alternatives.
In 2023 CBE JU launched its widening participation strategy with two objectives:
1/ Increase the participation of less-represented countries and regions in the CBE JU funding programme.
2/ Foster research and innovation in countries and regions with less developed bio-based systems.
on 6-7 December 2023
400+
participants
50+
renowned speakers representing the bio-based sector
30
bio-based solutions showcased made by CBE JU-funded projects
