A first-of-its-kind workshop hosted by CBE JU brought together leading researchers and industry voices to explore how bio-based solutions are reshaping the future of farming and packaging across Europe
On 17 June 2025, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) held its inaugural cluster workshop, bringing together around 60 experts from over 30 EU-funded projects, the European Commission, and industry partners.
The event highlighted cutting‑edge innovations in sustainable materials, ranging from compostable films and recyclable bioplastics to bio-based fertilisers, geared toward transforming agriculture and packaging toward a greener, more circular future.
Advancing bio-based materials
Approximately one-third of CBE JU projects focus on improving and scaling up bio-based materials. By supporting innovations in areas such as farming, car manufacturing, construction, and packaging, these projects are helping Europe move toward a greener, more sustainable, and competitive economy.
The workshop, which brought together over 30 funded projects from the Horizon Europe Programme, focused on bio-based materials for packaging and agricultural applications, with a particular emphasis on circularity and end-of-life alternatives. The participants worked together to identify common challenges within EU-funded projects and the opportunities that support bio-based solutions.
Bridging the gaps between agriculture and the environment
The agriculture and packaging industries are two of the most resource-intensive and waste-generating sectors in the EU. However, bio-based materials reduce environmental impacts, support rural economies and boost industrial resilience.
The bio-based material industry faces significant barriers to market entry, including cost competitiveness, performance standards, and the need for effective end-of-life solutions. CBE JU aims to tackle these challenges by supporting projects and bringing visions to life.
The events addressed a key barrier to broader adoption of bio-based materials: how they’re managed at the end of their life—an issue crucial to real-world impact and circularity.
The event featured three thematic sessions and included presentations from more than 20 CBE JU-funded projects, such as PEFerence, WOODCELL, ELLIPSE, LANDFEED, ReBioCycle, and REDYSIGN, showcasing the diversity of bio-based solutions currently under development that are supported by CBE JU funding.
CBE JU is a key enabler of the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy
The workshop addressed key EU policy priorities covered by the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, including the need to scale up the sustainable use of renewable biological resources in strategic application areas, such as the packaging and agriculture sectors.
CBE JU-funded projects have already revolutionised the agriculture and packaging sector; key projects include:
- PEFerence Flagship project aims to replace a significant share of fossil-based polyesters, such as polyethene terephthalate (PET), and packaging materials like glass and metal with 100% bio-based furanics polyesters.
- TERRIFIC Flagship project proposes eight innovative packaging solutions designed to decarbonise and promote circularity, such as bio-based and biodegradable films laminated on pulp or paper, as well as rigid and flexible thermoplastic biomaterials, aiming to achieve over 95% renewable resource content.
- ELLIPSE produces natural, biodegradable polyesters using locally available and renewable waste streams, such as slaughterhouse waste and paper and pulp sludge. This waste is processed with other organic materials, such as glycerol from the biodiesel industry and dairy industry sludge, to produce agricultural products and packaging for personal care products.
- LANDFEED aims to create new bio-based fertilisers by using underutilised waste from the agro-food industry, forestry, as well as urban and natural sources as feedstock. It also develops coatings for these bio-based fertilisers to improve nutrient release mechanisms, thus contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced impact on water resources.
