Scaling innovation: biorefineries and sustainable industry
Flagship projects under the CBE JU programme focus on establishing the first-of-their-kind industrial scale biorefineries and require significant private investment alongside EU funding. To qualify, companies must demonstrate high technological readiness (TRL 8), a strong business case, scalability, and long-term market impact. Investments can include retrofitting infrastructure, scaling up sustainable bio-based production, and integrating circular economy principles into existing industrial operations.
Mobilizing the bio-based economy
Samuele Ambrosetti, Programming & Innovation Manager at the non-profit organisation BIC, introduced the consortium’s role in driving the circular bioeconomy. With over 600 members, BIC connects industry, academia, regions, and citizens to transform bio-based feedstocks into sustainable products. Acting as the private partner and representative of the industry’s interests in the CBE JU public-private partnership, BIC fosters business opportunities, mobilizes capital, and shapes strategic research priorities through active member engagement.
Spotlight on the four flagship topics for 2025
Ambrosetti presented the four flagship topics for 2025, each supported by 20 million euros in public funding:
- Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation: Full-scale biorefineries converting urban bio-waste into high-value products, reducing landfill use and GHG emissions.
- Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass: Production equivalent to fossil-based alternatives, using diverse biomass feedstocks while prioritizing resource and process efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties: Development of fibre-based packaging with improved properties, prioritizing circularity and high technological readiness.
- Retrofitting industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products: Upgrading existing facilities to produce higher-value bio-based products, supporting full value chain development and regional employment.
Lessons learned and keys to success
Virginia Puzzolo, Head of Programme at CBE JU, explained that the initiative started from the EU’s political push for green technologies and the realization that industry must play a key role. That’s why the public-private undertaking was launched in 2021. Puzzolo emphasized the importance of addressing CBE-specific requirements, such as feedstock sustainability, environmental performance, and digital integration. Based on lessons from previous calls, she stressed the need for strong technical foundations, risk mitigation, and comprehensive work and business plans.
Highlighting Finland’s potential in the bioeconomy sector, Puzzolo encouraged Finnish companies to seize the flagship funding opportunities by building strong, multidisciplinary consortia.
The call for flagship proposals opened on April 3, 2025, with a submission deadline of September 18, 2025. Participants are encouraged to start building their consortia early and to utilize the CBE matchmaking platform to find collaboration partners.
CLIC Innovation supporting project success
Jussi Lahtinen and Aila Maijanen from CLIC Innovation presented the organization’s support services for CBE projects. CLIC Innovation’s expertise includes project preparation, coordination, communication, dissemination, exploitation, commercialization, stakeholder engagement, and ecosystem facilitation. CLIC Innovation’s experience in supporting successful CBE projects ensures a strong foundation for future flagship projects as well.
For more information about BIC, please contact Jussi Lahtinen (jussi.lahtinen@clicinnovation.fi)