In July 2026, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) expects several bio-based material projects it funds to achieve “widespread” market adoption over the coming years and demonstrate “the growing commercial potential” of bio-based packaging solutions.
CBE JU states that approximately one-third of the projects funded by them are bio-based. The public-private partnership fund for bio-based R&D in the EU has a portfolio of 26 projects dedicated to research and innovation in the packaging sector. It is developing close to 70 different packaging products.
“Out of these projects, CBE JU has funded three first-of-their-kind flagship biorefineries (technology readiness level 8) focused on direct packaging applications: PEFerence (2015), Terrific (2023), and BioWrap (2025),” says Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, executive director at CBE JU. Nicolo also states that, funding innovative and bio-based projects with the aim to broaden the development and uptake of bio-based materials across key industrial sectors, inclusive of packaging, the organization is positioning itself “at the forefront” of bio-based innovation in Europe.
The PEFerence project was completed in October 2025. It established an industrial-scale biorefinery flagship plant producing furan dicarboxylic acid, a bio-based building block with packaging material applications, and is said to be cost-effective.
The Project Traffic, funded by CBE JU, aims to tackle its supply chain challenges affecting the packaging sector, including high energy prices, dependencies on raw materials, and inflation, by demonstrating the viability of circular packaging solutions.
Another project titled ‘BioWrap’ is in the process of developing a certified, fully compostable paper-based bubble wrap, which is considered to be a great alternative to its patented nanocellulose fiber bonding, replacing synthetic adhesives.
“Together, these projects are developing a broad portfolio of innovative bio-based packaging products, including fully bio-based polyester bottles, films, and fibers,” says Giacomuzzi-Moore.
“They are also developing packaging solutions with over 95% renewable resource content, such as laminated barrier stick packs, food trays, multilayer barrier flexible packaging films, expanded thermoboxes, injection-molded coffee capsules, thermoformed cups, woven tea bags, and bubble films.”
CBE JU states that it completely supports the advancement of bio-based innovations from research to market, along with addressing the most significant hurdles to scale bio-based solutions, including regulatory hurdles and cost competitiveness challenges.
“Several CBE JU-funded projects reported policy and regulatory hurdles for scaling up bio-based packaging. Based on the outcome of the analysis, there is a demand for clearer and more streamlined frameworks that specifically address the needs of the bio-based sector,” says Giacomuzzi-Moore.
“These should include considerations for all current available packaging materials, including the use of bio-based materials and waste recycling technologies.”
CBE JU also mentions that another challenge restricting its growth in the future is the lack of harmonization among national legislations of EU member states in dealing with products at their end-of-life. A recent study by the Nova-Institute for the Publications Office of the EU concluded that bio-based plastic packaging could support the climate-neutrality goals outlined in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) by replacing virgin fossil carbon.
In their response, advocacy groups addressed a letter to the European Commission calling for an ideal alignment between the EU’s bio-based plastics policy and its circular economy objectives. Another barrier restricting the growth of CBE JU’s market presence is cost competitiveness, as stated by them.
“Fossil-based materials rely on highly optimized supply chains, resulting in cheap feedstocks. Emerging bio-based alternatives struggle to match the economies of scale driven by high initial capital expenditures and cost of materials,” Giacomuzzi-Moore explains.
CBE JU also supports the advancements of bio-based innovations from research to market by aiming to derisk investments and supporting the creation of strong, integrated industrial value chains across Europe. The Strait of Hormuz crisis, fueled by the US–Iran conflict, interrupted the supply of virgin, fossil-based plastic material for packaging, leading some businesses to consider recycled plastic and reusable alternatives.
CBE JU projects encompass resource-efficient, safe, and “sustainable-by-design” approaches, according to the organization. It says that the projects it funds aim to address many articles of the EU’s PPWR, including its requirements on substances used in packaging. They also state that it is achieved by ensuring implementation of a “safe and sustainable by design” framework within the projects, as well as by guaranteeing recyclability through design.
Giacomuzzi-Moore says, “This innovation directly addresses PPWR goals, enabling a scalable, circular solution to replace millions of square meters of plastic packaging, reduce marine and landfill pollution, and strengthen Europe’s sustainable manufacturing competitiveness”.
31 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026