New biobased partnership starts

Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 has established the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). This is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe.

CBE JU operates under the rules of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme, for 2021-2031. Its strategic research and innovation agenda has been adopted, identifying the main technological and innovation challenges. The first call for project proposals is now open and will close before the end of 2022. CBE JU’s main stated goals are to:

* Accelerate the innovation process and development of bio-based innovative solutions

* Accelerate market deployment of the existing mature and innovative bio-based solutions

* Ensure a high level of environmental performance of bio-based industrial systems

“The role of Circular Bio-based Europe is to bring together various actors from bio-based industries, ranging from farmers to scientists, to solve the technological, regulatory and market challenges of the sector,” the EU said. “Its public-private funding scheme boosts innovation and market deployment and paves the way for future investments.”