The European Parliament Endorses Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), the Successor of BBI JU

(Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking) The European Parliament voted today in favour of Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), the successor of BBI JU, by adopting a legislative proposal on the establishment of joint undertakings for the 2021-2027 period. The Council of the EU is expected to adopt the proposal by the end of November, leading to the launch of CBE JU before the end of the year.

‘After today's vote the Parliament is making sure that joint undertakings have their set of rules in place, in line with Horizon Europe, with greater openness and transparency and fit for supporting our policy objectives. Now the Commission is expected to facilitate a rapid and straightforward implementation, ensuring not only that the joint undertakings are properly funded – if necessary taking into account de-commitments, fines and Next Generation EU funds – but also that they can set up their advisory structures swiftly, preparing the ground for the new strategic agendas and publishing the first calls for proposals as soon as possible’, said Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament who was coordinating the work on this file.

‘This is a crucial step in the launch of the CBE JU,’ said Philippe Mengal, the Executive Director of BBI JU. ‘Our community is ready to take the success of BBI JU to the next level, and the new €2 billion partnership between the European Union and industry will enable it. Bio-based industries are considered to be a key enabler of the green transition towards a resilient and environmentally sustainable EU economy and one of the main objectives of the CBE JU will be investing in research & innovation across scientific disciples that support bioeconomy and stimulate its uptake by industry. The priority over the coming months will be to ensure a stable transition to the new partnership and setting the strategic agenda. Many thanks to Ms Carvalho and her colleagues for bringing this important regulation to fruition.’

The new partnership between the EU, represented by the European Commission, and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) will build on the successes of the BBI JU while stepping up its contribution to the EU’s climate targets, in line with the European Green Deal. It will continue fostering collaboration between the scientific community and industry, to scale up technologies leading to industrial deployment, and to de-risk investments, thus attracting funding and creating jobs across European regions.

What are the next steps?

The Council of the EU is now expected to adopt the regulation in the second part of November, leading to the launch of CBE JU and establishment of its Programme Office before the end of 2021.

After the entry into force CBE JU will focus on establishing its Governing Board, while the EU Member States will nominate members of the States Representatives Group, one of CBE JU’s advisory body.

One of the first tasks of the Governing Board will be to adopt CBE JU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which will set the priorities of the partnership for the coming years.

CBE JU’s second advisory body, the Scientific Committee will then be established following a public call for expression of interest published in the Official Journal. The new Scientific Committee members will be then selected based on the criteria set by the Governing Board.

Both advisory bodies will be consulted on the first CBE JU’s work programme, ahead of its adoption by the Governing Board.

After the adoption of the work programme, the CBE JU’s Programme Office will launch the first call for project proposals and organise its evaluation. READ MORE