Publication date:
CBE JU welcomes the European Commission’s Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, presented today. The strategy sets a clear direction for a competitive, sustainable and nature-positive European bioeconomy that strengthens industrial capacity, supports regional development and reduces dependency on fossil-based and imported materials. It also reinforces the role of biotechnology and biomanufacturing in Europe’s industrial resilience, introducing upcoming Biotech Acts and new support for testbeds and demonstration infrastructures.
Since 2014, CBE JU and its predecessor BBI JU have built strong foundations for this transition. With 1.3 billion euro in public funding, the programme has supported 220 projects and delivered significant outcomes, including more than 100 bio-based products and over 250 new materials and ingredients. Nearly 250 new value chains have emerged. The portfolio also includes 19 first-of-their-kind biorefineries and more than 150 demonstration plants, showing that innovative technologies can reach industrial scale. CBE JU has attracted substantial private capital, with about 3.5 euro leveraged for every public euro invested.
This strategy confirms that Europe’s bioeconomy is ready for full industrial deployment. For more than a decade, CBE JU has shown how the public-private investment model of a Joint Undertaking can unlock innovation, scale it up, strengthen regional value chains and create economic opportunities for the large variety of stakeholders active in the bio-based sector. We look forward to supporting the implementation of this strategic vision and helping Europe lead in sustainable growth.
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director, CBE JU
Presenting a strategic vision for 2040
The strategy focuses on four priorities: scaling innovation and investments, creating lead markets for bio-based solutions, ensuring sustainable biomass supply and strengthening international cooperation. It presents a 2040 vision where sustainable bio-based construction materials and bio-based chemicals are widely used, alongside advanced facilities that convert diverse feedstocks into high value products.
Europe’s bioeconomy already contributes up to 2.7 trillion euro annually. Despite this, many innovations face barriers linked to regulation, financing and access to demonstration infrastructure. The strategy proposes measures such as streamlined authorisation procedures, coordinated investment tools and stronger demand signals through procurement and voluntary alliances.
CBE JU welcomes this strategic initiative, which reflects the recommendations put forward by its large stakeholder community, including primary producers, research organisations, industry, regions and other participants striving to scale up Europe’s bio-based sector.
Supporting scale-up and competitiveness
The strategy puts forward a range of tools in support of the bioeconomy sector’s growth. New mechanisms will improve the deployment of bio-based technologies. The European Bioeconomy Regulators and Innovators Forum will enhance regulatory clarity. The Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group will align financing instruments across EU and national levels. The strategy also highlights efficient biomass use and transparent monitoring as essential for long term resilience.
These priorities closely align with the experience of CBE JU, whose projects demonstrate industrial readiness, regional benefits and strong engagement from innovators across Europe.
CBE JU contributing to the strategy since 10 years
Since 2014, CBE JU has funded 220 projects that reflect the strategic direction set by the European Commission. Among them, 19 highly innovative first-of-their-kind flagship biorefineries across European regions successfully demonstrate that bio-based industrial production using local biomass is a viable business model in Europe and can play a key role in Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. These flagships are well-positioned to support the strategy’s focus on lead markets for bio-based chemicals, construction materials, textiles, fertilisers and advanced food and feed ingredients.
PLENITUDE is producing food-grade protein through large scale fermentation using cereal feedstocks. This approach supports a more diverse and environmentally responsible protein supply in Europe.
SCALE launched an industrial microalgae biorefinery to produce natural active ingredients for food supplements and cosmetics. The project helps anchor aquatic biomass value chains in Europe.
AFTERBIOCHEM has built a pioneering biorefinery that converts sugar beet residues into seven bio-based organic acids used in everything from food to fragrances, while also producing a potassium-rich fertiliser as a circular economy by-product. Beyond creating 80 direct and 200 indirect local jobs, this initiative is a driver for regional growth.
Get to know all CBE JU-funded flagship projects.
Both the demonstration plants and flagship biorefineries have a high replicability potential in other regions and countries, and the first success stories have already confirmed their potential.
The CBE JU-funded industrial-scale facilities demonstrate the commercial viability of bio-based processes, fostering economic growth and environmental benefits locally. The investments made in these projects have helped create jobs in rural and coastal regions and offered new business opportunities to all stakeholders, in particular primary producers.
Delivering the future bioeconomy
CBE JU stands ready to support the implementation of the new Bioeconomy Strategy. Its project portfolio and proven capacity to mobilise private investment place the Joint Undertaking in a key position to scale sustainable bio-based solutions that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and contribute to a nature-positive future.
