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SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications

This Horizon Europe funding call focuses on scaling up innovative bio-based (co)polymers to meet market requirements, improve sustainability, and enhance circularity. The goal is to unlock new applications and market sectors through sustainable and safe-by-design (SSbD) approaches. The call targets projects demonstrating bio-based polymers with superior or comparable functional properties to fossil-based counterparts.

Key aspects include resource efficiency, process sustainability, and environmental impact reduction. Projects must validate polymer compatibility with end-use sectors and assess eco-design principles for sustainable end-of-life (EoL) solutions. Landfilling and incineration are excluded as EoL options.

Proposals should align with EU sustainability frameworks, including the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the EU Industrial Strategy. Coordination with past and ongoing EU-funded initiatives is required to ensure synergy and avoid redundancy.

Opening: 04-04-2025
Deadline(s): 17-09-2025

Expected Outcome

• Availability of a broader range of SSbD bio-based (co)polymers tailored to market demands.
• Improved or novel material properties enabling new applications and market entry.
• Increased sustainability, safety, and circularity of bio-based polymer production.
• Stronger integration of circularity principles in the bio-based economy.
• Validation of polymer processability and compatibility with industrial manufacturing.
• Reduction in environmental footprint compared to fossil-based alternatives.
• Enhanced resource efficiency through optimized energy, water, and catalyst use.
• Increased societal acceptance of bio-based materials for industrial applications.
• Contribution to EU-wide bioeconomy and zero-pollution strategies.
• Strengthened innovation and competitiveness in European bio-based industries.

Scope

• Scale up innovative bio-based (co)polymers to meet industrial needs and market demand.
• Demonstrate bio-based polymers with improved properties over existing fossil-based or bio-based materials.
• Enhance sustainability by reducing resource consumption, recycling by-products, and optimizing energy efficiency.
• Validate polymer integration into at least two market sectors at TRL 5-7.
• Ensure processability and compatibility of bio-based polymers with downstream production.
• Develop eco-designed bio-based polymeric structures with sustainable end-of-life solutions.
• Assess how new polymers fit into existing collection, recycling, and treatment systems.
• Apply the European Commission’s SSbD framework for polymer safety and sustainability.
• Contribute to EU strategies for circular economy, zero pollution, and climate neutrality.
• Ensure synergy with EU-funded projects under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, BBI JU, and CBE JU.