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2023 in review: CBE JU's key highlights

Discover the partnership's main achievements in a snapshot

CBE JU projects in 2023

At the end of 2023, CBE JU had supported a total of 161 projects.

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57

Ongoing

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21

Newly launched

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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.

  • Developing innovative technologies to produce sustainable and circular bio-based solutions
  • Using renewable resources like agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and food waste
  • Replacing non-renewable raw materials across industries
  • Creating new economic opportunities across regions and providing concrete solutions to environmental challenges

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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.

On the map

CBE JU is funding first-of-their-kind biorefineries and demonstration plants to help expand the European circular bio-based economy.

Select what you want to see

  • Demonstration plant
  • Flagship biorefinery
Click and drag to explore all the projects around Europe

CBE JU is a central pillar in establishing Europe's bio-based sector as a global leader

For every euro of CBE JU funding the programme attracts €3.23 in private investment.

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1,550

Beneficiaries from 43 countries

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35%

SMEs

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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!

Funding in 2023

2 calls for proposals were launched with a €216.5 million total budget

Applicant insights

• 40%: research organisations
• Almost 50%: private organisations
• 33%: small businesses
• 70%+: newcomers to CBE JU programme

  1. 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.

    Learn more

  2. 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.

    Learn more 

  3. 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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  4. 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.

    Learn more

First CBE JU stakeholder forum

on 6-7 December 2023

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400+

participants

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50+

renowned speakers representing the bio-based sector

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30

bio-based solutions showcased made by CBE JU-funded projects