SuperBark is a four-year project developing bio-based adhesives and coatings from natural components found in softwood bark. By replacing fossil-based chemicals traditionally used in these products, the project aims to improve the sustainability and safety of adhesives and coatings for wood panels and paper packaging.
The winners of the 2025 competition were announced at the CBE JU Stakeholder Forum on 24 March 2026. This year’s competition focused on how Europe’s circular bioeconomy is delivering tangible benefits for businesses, communities and the environment. Under the hashtag #CBEScaleUp, participants were invited to showcase bio-based innovation in action — from pilot-scale testing to commercial production, from laboratory discoveries to market-ready solutions, and from local biomass resources to new circular value chains.
The 2025 edition attracted the highest participation to date, with more than 300 submissions from 50 projects across five categories: Scaling Innovation, People and Skills, Circular Europe, Creative Focus and Video Stories. All winning entries were exhibited at the Stakeholder Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers and innovators gathered to discuss the future of Europe’s bioeconomy and competitiveness.
Launched in September 2023, SuperBark is turning a major forest-industry side stream -softwood bark – into high-performance, safer and more sustainable adhesives and coatings for wood products and paper packaging. The project is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and brings together 12 partners from eight European countries, including four industrial partners, six research and technology organisations, and one small and medium-sized enterprise.
Receiving this award helps raise the visibility of SuperBark and supports its goal of increasing awareness of bio-based adhesives and coatings among scientists, policymakers, industry and wider society. The project’s results are particularly relevant for sectors such as furniture, construction, transport and packaging.
The winning video was developed by CLIC Innovation, leader of the Communications, Dissemination and Exploitation work package, in collaboration with project partners and Photino Science Communications.