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Biotech Routes for Valorisation of Residual Biomass

Description

This Innovation Action supports the scale-up and demonstration of innovative biotechnology-based routes for converting residual biomass into high-value bio-based products. The objective is to improve the resource efficiency and circularity of European bio-based industries by unlocking the potential of agricultural, forestry, food-processing and other sustainable residual biomass streams. Projects should demonstrate integrated biorefinery processes that create commercially viable value chains while reducing waste, fossil resource dependency and greenhouse gas emissions.

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 reach an end TRL of 6–8.
  • Mandatory Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) involving residual biomass producers and other relevant value-chain actors.
  • Proposal must include logistics optimisation for residual biomass supply.
  • Proposal must include biotechnology risk assessment and mitigation measures.
  • Proposal must address regulatory aspects and environmental impacts.
  • Proposal must satisfy the CBE JU IKOP threshold of at least 15% of total eligible project costs (applicable to Innovation Actions).
  • 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
  • Industrial biomanufacturing companies
  • Biorefinery operators
  • Agricultural, forestry and food-processing companies
  • Biomass producers and feedstock suppliers
  • Waste management and biomass logistics providers
  • Non-profit organisations
  • Other relevant 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
  • End-product validation: TRL 5 or higher.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • Demonstrated biotechnology routes for efficient industrial valorisation of residual biomass.
  • Increased production of high-value bio-based chemicals, materials and ingredients from currently underutilised biomass streams.
  • Greater resource efficiency and circularity through cascading biomass use.
  • Reduced dependence on virgin biomass and fossil-based raw materials.
  • More sustainable and economically viable bio-based value chains.
  • Improved competitiveness and resilience of the European bioeconomy.
  • Contributions to the objectives of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal.

Scope

Projects should:

  • Demonstrate innovative biotechnology-based conversion routes for the valorisation of residual biomass, targeting an end TRL of 6–8.
  • Use sustainable residual biomass feedstocks, including agricultural, forestry, aquaculture, food-processing and industrial bio-based side streams. Biogenic carbon gases are not eligible feedstocks.
  • Produce one or more high-value bio-based products, such as:
    • Chemicals
    • Materials
    • Ingredients
    • Functional biomolecules
    • Enzymes
    • Probiotic biomass
    • Parabiotics
    • Postbiotics
    • Yeast extracts and fibres
    • Single-cell proteins
  • Integrate efficient upstream and downstream processing where relevant.
  • Validate conversion of biorefinery products into at least one end-product at TRL 5 or higher, demonstrating market relevance and technical performance.
  • Apply cascading biomass utilisation by valorising by-products and side streams wherever feasible.
  • Improve resource efficiency and circularity while preventing contaminants or pathogens from re-entering material loops.
  • Apply a Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), ensuring sufficient involvement of biomass producers and feedstock suppliers.
  • Optimise logistics for sourcing, storage and transport of residual biomass to minimise costs and transport distances.
  • Conduct risk assessments covering impacts of biotechnology on human health, biodiversity and the environment, and identify mitigation measures.
  • Assess regulatory barriers and provide recommendations where appropriate.
  • Build on results from previous Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, BBI JU and CBE JU projects.

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