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Bio-based Additives as Alternatives to Unlock and Increase Recyclability and/or Biodegradability

Description

This Innovation Action supports the development and demonstration of bio-based additives that improve the recyclability and/or biodegradability of materials and products across multiple industrial sectors. The objective is to replace fossil-based or problematic additives with sustainable bio-based alternatives while maintaining or improving material performance. Projects should contribute to the transition towards a circular economy by enabling higher-quality recycling, reducing environmental pollution and supporting the development of safe, sustainable and circular bio-based materials. The topic contributes to several EU policy initiatives, including the Zero Pollution Action Plan, Circular Economy Action Plan, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Funding Amount

  • Expected EU contribution per project: €14 million (indicative)
  • Total topic budget: €14 million
  • Funding rate
    • 60% of eligible costs for for-profit entities.
    • 100% of eligible costs for non-profit legal entities.

Submission Deadlines

  • Call opening: 23 April 2026
  • Submission deadline: 22 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (CET)
  • Submission model: Single-stage.

Submission Conditions

  • Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA).
  • Single-stage application.
  • Projects should achieve TRL 6–8 by project completion.
  • Demonstration required in at least two industrial sectors.
  • Proposal must include sustainability, environmental and techno-economic assessments.
  • Proposal must address recyclability and/or biodegradability using recognised testing methodologies where applicable.
  • Proposal must satisfy the CBE JU IKOP threshold of at least 15% of total eligible project costs.
  • Proposal Part B limited to 70 pages.
  • Standard Horizon Europe and CBE JU eligibility and evaluation rules apply.

Eligible Businesses

Eligible applicants under Horizon Europe include:

  • SMEs
  • Large enterprises
  • Start-ups and scale-ups
  • Universities
  • Research organisations
  • Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs)
  • Biotechnology companies
  • Chemical manufacturers
  • Additive and ingredient manufacturers
  • Polymer and materials companies
  • Packaging manufacturers
  • Textile manufacturers
  • Plastics and recycling companies
  • Biorefinery operators
  • Non-profit organisations
  • Other industrial value-chain partners participating in project consortia.

Eligible Countries

Eligible participants are legal entities established in:

  • EU Member States.
  • Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
  • Other countries eligible under the Horizon Europe Rules for Participation, where applicable.

Standard Horizon Europe eligibility rules apply.

Target TRL

  • Project end TRL: TRL 6–8.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • Innovative bio-based additives enabling improved recyclability and/or biodegradability of products.
  • Increased replacement of fossil-based additives with sustainable bio-based alternatives.
  • Improved recycling efficiency and recycled material quality across multiple industrial sectors.
  • Reduced environmental pollution and improved circular use of materials.
  • Increased market uptake of sustainable bio-based materials.
  • Contributions to:
    • Zero Pollution Action Plan.
    • Circular Economy Action Plan.
    • Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
    • Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
    • Chemical Industry Action Plan.
    • Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030".
    • Horizon Europe Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe".

Scope

Projects should:

  • Develop and demonstrate bio-based additives that improve:
    • Recyclability; and/or
    • Biodegradability of materials and products.
  • Target an end TRL of 6–8.
  • Demonstrate the additives in at least two different industrial sectors (e.g. different application segments). The CBE JU clarifies that different application segments within the same industry (e.g. sportswear and automotive textiles) qualify as different sectors.
  • Demonstrate that the additives:
    • Preserve or improve technical performance.
    • Do not negatively affect recycling processes or recycled material quality.
    • Improve biodegradation where relevant under appropriate conditions.
  • Assess compatibility with existing industrial processing and manufacturing technologies.
  • Demonstrate environmental, technical and economic benefits compared with conventional additives.
  • Evaluate impacts on material circularity, resource efficiency and product lifetime.
  • Address relevant EU regulatory requirements and standardisation needs.
  • Include life-cycle, sustainability and techno-economic assessments.
  • Consider end-of-life management and circular-by-design principles.
  • Build upon results from previous Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, BBI JU and CBE JU projects where relevant.

Partner Requests

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