Research & innovation for bio-based industries in Europe
Philippe Mengal, Executive Director at CBE JU – Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, charting the priorities for a competitive bio-based industries in Europe
Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernize the EU’s economy and society, and to re-orient them towards a just and sustainable future through bio-based industries in Europe. Research and innovation will play a central role in accelerating and navigating this transition; deploying, demonstrating and de-risking sustainable solutions; and engaging citizens in social innovation.
Within the EU’s long-term budget, the Horizon Europe’s program for research and innovation, called upon to play a very strong role in supporting the EU’s sustainable growth. The European Partnerships are a key tool in implementing this ambitious research agenda, which has significantly contributed to achieving the EU’s political priorities.
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is one such European Partnership, which brings the private (Bio-based Industries Consortium – BIC) and public (European Union, represented by the European Commission – EC) partners together in pursuit of advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. By producing renewable bio-based products and biomass in an innovative, sustainable and circular way, these industries can contribute significantly to the climate neutrality target by 2050 while creating jobs and economic growth in regions across Europe.
This € 2 billion Public-Private Partnership will build on the success of its predecessor, the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) – which has promoted the value of a competitive circular bio-based economy in Europe and has contributed to reducing the fragmentation of the sector.
Established on 30th November 2021, the new partnership will fund projects that support the shift from non-renewable fossil resources to waste and sustainably sourced biomass to produce industrial and consumer goods in a more sustainable and circular way.
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
Their general objectives are to be set out in the European Union. As with any public-private partnership, it is essential to align the “public” and “private” interests, goals and commitments to ensure the realization of the different perspectives.
The CBE JU, EC and BIC, have drafted the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) in collaboration with the CBE JU Program Office and in consultation with the partnership’s advisory bodies. The document describes the targeted impact of the partnership, foreseen portfolio of activities and measurable expected outcomes. It is adopted by the CBE JU Governing Board. The SRIA of CBE JU now becomes a legally binding strategic priority document for the new partnership.
CBE JU priorities going forward
The SRIA will implement the objectives of the CBE JU as agreed by the partners, which shall provide a common basis for the European bio-based industries.
2031. Such strategic priorities include recognizing the availability and quality of sustainable bio-based feedstock; development of innovative production systems in the bio-based industry and innovative bio-based products; as well as stimulating research activities in countries and regions with underdeveloped R&I capacity for bio-based systems.
“Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernize the EU’s economy and society, and to re-orient them towards a just and sustainable future. Research and innovation will play a central role in accelerating and navigating this transition; deploying, demonstrating and de-risking sustainable solutions; and engaging citizens in social innovation. ”
Furthermore, it will also aim to scale up production and market uptake of innovative bio-based solutions; improve the investment risk profile of bio-based projects; as well as bio-based systems; and motivating social acceptance of bio-based applications.
CBE JU will implement these strategic priorities via competitive calls for project proposals. The partnership will fund projects focused on research and innovation, as well as coordination and support. Among them, Flagships will deploy the first-of-its-kind innovation in the European market.
Transparent checks & balances
The Scientific Committee and the states’ representative group (SRG) . The advisory bodies will help to identify the scientific achievements of the program, and provide independent scientific and strategic advice on the implementation of the Governing Board.
The CBE JU program is successfully implemented and confirms that the CBE JU has successfully implemented and confirms that the CBE and efficient management of natural renewable resources.
Members of the Scientific Committee and member states’ CBE JU ambassadors, helping to increase the visibility of the program and reaching out to key bioeconomy actors across, and beyond, the EU.
Since their establishment, the CBE JU Scientific Committee, comprising of 15 members of which 47% are women, and the states’ representatives group, composed of 31 members and 29 alternates from 27 countries, has already taken an active role in providing feedback on the The SRIA, prior to the opening of the partnership’s first call for project proposals.
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