The series of these conferences has been organised and established by the European Commission 1980 (Brighton, UK). The conference started as a purely scientific event. Over the years as biomass use as feedstock for bioenergy and fuels increased steadily, the industrial aspect was introduced to the conference. A technology exhibition was introduced in 1996. In 2000 the EUBCE hosted the 1st World Biomass Conference and Exhibition. With a growing awareness of the impacts of society on the environment, one of the main themes has been government policy towards biomass as renewable resource.

The EUBCE is now characterised as an event that addresses the balance between sustainability in terms of environment as well as the economic performance of the whole chain of biomass utilisation, not forgetting the science.   This conference covers all aspects of biomass, from resources, research, innovation, deployment to policies. A particular emphasis is given through the exhibition for a tight partnership between academia, research institutions and industry.

The Technical Programme is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.