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Develop Breakthrough and Sustainable Bio-based Textile Fibres

Description

This Research and Innovation Action (RIA) supports the development of breakthrough, sustainable bio-based textile fibres to reduce the environmental footprint and fossil dependency of the European textile industry. The topic aims to create innovative man-made and/or modified natural bio-based textile fibres with improved sustainability, circularity and performance while ensuring compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes. Projects should establish the scientific and technological basis for future industrial deployment and contribute to a more resilient, circular and competitive European textiles ecosystem.

Funding Amount

  • Expected EU contribution per project: ~ €3.25 million (indicative)
  • Total topic budget: €6.5 million
  • Expected number of funded projects: 2 projects
  • Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs for all eligible participants (including companies and non-profit organisations), in line with Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action rules.

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 Research and Innovation Action (RIA).
  • Single-stage application.
  • Projects should achieve an end TRL of 4–5.
  • Mandatory application of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.
  • Proposal must include:
    • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
    • Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA).
    • Environmental assessment.
    • Qualitative business case demonstrating future industrial and commercial potential.
  • Proposal must satisfy the CBE JU IKOP threshold of at least 5% of total eligible project costs.
  • Proposal Part B is limited to 50 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)
  • Textile manufacturers
  • Fibre and yarn manufacturers
  • Biotechnology companies
  • Chemical and materials companies
  • Bio-based material developers
  • Fashion and apparel companies
  • Recycling and circular textile companies
  • Non-profit organisations
  • Other industrial and research 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 4–5
  • Fibre technologies should be validated in a laboratory or relevant environment, providing the foundation for future industrial scale-up.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • New high-performance, sustainable bio-based textile fibres suitable for future industrial scale-up.
  • Reduced dependence on fossil-based textile fibres.
  • Increased circularity, resource efficiency and sustainability of textile value chains.
  • Improved environmental performance of textile materials across their life cycle.
  • Greater competitiveness and innovation capacity of the European textile sector.
  • Contributions to:
    • EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
    • Circular Economy Act.
    • Clean Industrial Deal.
    • Updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
    • Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Scope

Projects should:

  • Develop breakthrough bio-based textile fibres (man-made and/or modified natural fibres) targeting an end TRL of 4–5.
  • Develop fibres with improved sustainability while maintaining or improving technical performance compared with conventional textile fibres.
  • Address one or more fibre properties, including:
    • Mechanical performance
    • Durability
    • Processability
    • Functional properties
    • Recyclability and/or biodegradability where appropriate.
  • Demonstrate compatibility with existing textile manufacturing and processing technologies.
  • Apply Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles throughout fibre development.
  • Assess the sustainability of the complete value chain through:
    • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
    • Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA)
    • Environmental assessment.
  • Evaluate fibre performance in representative textile applications under TRL 4–5 conditions.
  • Address relevant regulatory and standardisation requirements where applicable.
  • Include a qualitative business case describing future industrial deployment and market potential.
  • Ensure complementarity with previous Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, BBI JU and CBE JU projects.

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