The European Union is taking a new step towards a circular bioeconomy. Under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), 30 projects have been selected to receive €197,5 million in grants. These projects, spread across 33 countries and involving 416 organisations, focus on developing innovative bio-based solutions to reduce dependency on fossil resources and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
Four types of projects
The funding is divided into four categories:
- Flagship innovation actions: Two large-scale biorefineries together receive almost €40 million.
- Innovation actions: 15 projects will receive a total of €109,5 million to scale up prototypes.
- Research and innovation actions: 10 projects receive more than €38 million for research and technological development in controlled environments.
- Coordination and support actions: Three projects receive almost €10 million for strategic activities within CBE JU.
Examples of projects
- CERISEA: With almost €20 million, this project will build a factory that converts food waste into bio-based plastics and resins.
- RUNFASTER4EU: Receives €19,9 million to use marginal agricultural land to grow oil crops, raw materials for bioplastics and cosmetics.
- UNICO2RN: Receives €7,5 million to convert biogenic CO₂ into sustainable materials such as microbial protein and biodegradable polyesters.
- CleanAlgae2Value: Develops a modular biorefinery with €7,5 million that converts white microalgae into ingredients for food and packaging.
- WoodTreat: Receives €3,5 million for recycling chemically treated wood waste into safe products.
- MYCOCIRCLE: Receives €3,5 million to use fungal biomass as an alternative to animal ingredients in cosmetics and agrochemicals.
- RootLinks: With €3 million, this project supports primary producers in the bioeconomy with knowledge sharing and training.
Growing enthusiasm
The interest in the 2024 call was high: 298 proposals were submitted, an increase of 84 percent compared to the previous year. It is striking that around half of the beneficiaries are receiving funding for the first time from CBE JU or its predecessor BBI JU. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up 31 percent of the participants, underlining the growing involvement of SMEs.
New subsidy round opened
At the same time, a new call for project proposals has been opened. €172 million is available, divided over 13 topics. The deadline for submitting proposals is 18 September 2025 at 17:00.
