02 Dec PRESENTATION OF THE NEW EUROPEAN AGREEMENT ON THE CIRCULAR BIO-BASED ECONOMY (CBE JU)

The Council of the EU has just adopted the Regulation establishing the partnership between the European Union and the Consortium of Bio-based Industries (BBI)

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, hereinafter CBE JU, a re-launch of the programme that has boosted the green economy in Europe over the last few years, the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking, hereinafter, BBI JU. This is a €2 billion programme focused on promoting competitive bio-based industries in Europe. It will enter into force at the end of November 2021 and will serve as a continuation of the ongoing activities of the BBI JU.

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), the Council of the EU and the European Commission reach an agreement to boost the bioeconomy with a circular and sustainable approach, bringing European industry towards the goals of the EU Green Deal. Rural and coastal innovation will be the pillars of the new programme, which will seek a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery by greening industrial production. This agreement also seeks to enhance the Horizon Europe programme by pursuing common ground and joint results. The new developments regarding the BBI JU programme will enhance the importance of education and will incorporate new actors, such as primary producers and new representatives of the Member States, with the aim of establishing greater proximity to regional aspects.

ENTRY INTO FORCE AND UPCOMING EVENTS

The CBE JU will enter into force upon publication of the Council Regulation in the Official Journal of the European Union, currently scheduled for 30 November 2021. On that day, the CBE JU Programme Office will also be established. This will be followed by the appointment of the members of the Governing Board, which will meet for the first time in mid-December. In the first and second quarter of 2022, two advisory bodies will be established: the States’ Representatives Group and the Scientific Committee, and the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) will be adopted.

In the next step, a consultative process on the first CBE JU programme will be launched and, in the second quarter of 2022, the Governing Board will adopt the programme resolutions and open the first call for proposals for consortium projects. Proposals will be submitted on the basis of the circular economy in European green industry, for which both public and private entities will be eligible for funding.

EXPERIENCE GAINED ON THE BASIS OF GOOD RESULTS

CONTACTICA has a strong experience in the submission of this type of proposals, having obtained funding for projects from the predecessor programme (BBI JU):

• BeonNAT: Innovative value chains from tree & shrub species grown in marginal lands as a source of biomass for bio-based industries
• UP4HEALTH: Upcycling of olive, grape and nut by-products into 4 natural and healthy ingredients for nutraceutical and cosmetic applications
• ALEHOOP: Biorefineries for the valorisation of macroalgal residual biomass and legume processing by-products to obtain new protein value chains for high-value food and feed applications
• EUCALIVA: EUCAlyptus LIgnin VAlorisation for Advanced Materials and Carbon Fibres

If you have an innovative idea to revolutionise the European green industry, do not hesitate to contact us and together we will make it happen. You can do so via e-mail: contactica@contactica.es or by calling (+34)660855535.