Mengal has several years of experience in chemical engineering, consulting and senior management roles — including CEO positions — within bio-based industries in France and Belgium. He also has extensive experience at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and European industrial policy, managing complex European programs, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and accelerating market deployment of innovative technologies.
From 2015 to 2022, Mengal was Executive Director of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), previously the BBI JU, the public-private partnership between the European Commission and BIC. In this role, he oversaw significant public-private investments to scale up Europe’s bio-based sector, through initiatives that mobilised billions of euros in funding and supported dozens of flagship biorefinery projects across Europe.
Since 2022, Mengal has been a member of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) of the European Commission.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Executive Director of BIC at such a crucial time for Europe’s industrial transformation,” said Mengal. “The bio-based industries sector has demonstrated its capacity to deliver sustainable growth, rural development, and strategic autonomy. I look forward to working closely with our members and partners to build on BIC’s strong foundations and to further advance a competitive, resilient and circular European bioeconomy.”
Under the leadership of Carrez, BIC became a central voice for the bio-based industries in Europe, strengthening the work between a range of stakeholders including large companies, SMEs, primary producers, academia and policy makers.
“It has been a privilege to lead BIC from its early vision to the robust and influential organisation it is today,” said Dirk Carrez. “I am proud of what we have achieved together in positioning bio-based industries at the heart of Europe’s sustainability and industrial agenda.”
BIC Chair Rob Beekers says, “We thank Dirk for founding and developing BIC during the past 14 years into the successful consortium we are today and welcome Philippe as his successor. Philippe’s extensive experience with the Joint Undertakings and his deep commitment to innovation and collaboration make him the ideal person to guide BIC into its next chapter. I have full confidence that under his leadership, BIC will continue to thrive and expand its impact.”
This leadership transition comes at a time when Europe is accelerating its efforts to achieve climate neutrality, strengthen industrial competitiveness and reduce dependency on fossil-based resources. With Philippe Mengal at the helm, BIC aims to reinforce its strategic engagement with EU institutions, enhance member value and further promote investment in innovative bio-based solutions across Europe.
