Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability

Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Chemical Industry Action Plan. They will provide solutions in line with the objectives of the EU legislation on waste but also the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Objective 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, Seas and waters” as well as the Horizon Europe Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, in particular objectives “Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration”. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Wider availability of bio-based additives targeting high functional properties, stability and compatibility with polymers/matrices. Contribution to improved circularity of end products in relevant market sectors. Potential replicability into other industrial sectors to widen market opportunity. Reduction or avoidance of environmental impacts related to life cycle of additives and additive-containing materials and/or products. Scope: While additives are often necessary to confer specific properties to materials and/or products, their presence can hinder their circular EoL (including – depending on the application – recycling and/or biodegradation). Risks upon recycling and biodegradation encompass the release into the environment of harmf…bron

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Multi-actor approach (MAA) vereist; Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework moet worden toegepast; complementariteit met eerdere/lopende R&I-projecten moet worden aangetoond.

• Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradabilityEU-portaal (SEDIA) · ec.europa.eu7 jul 2026
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  Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability
  
  Topic: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-02
  Call: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 — HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026
  Programma: Horizon Europe (2021 - 2027)
  
  == Beschrijving ==
  Expected Outcome:
  Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Chemical Industry Action Plan. They will provide solutions in line with the objectives of the EU legislation on waste but also the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Objective 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, Seas and waters” as well as the Horizon Europe Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, in particular objectives “Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration”.
  Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
  Wider availability of bio-based additives targeting high functional properties, stability and compatibility with polymers/matrices.
  Contribution to improved circularity of end products in relevant market sectors.
  Potential replicability into other industrial sectors to widen market opportunity.
  Reduction or avoidance of environmental impacts related to life cycle of additives and additive-containing materials and/or products.
  Scope:
  While additives are often necessary to confer specific properties to materials and/or products, their presence can hinder their circular EoL (including – depending on the application – recycling and/or biodegradation). Risks upon recycling and biodegradation encompass the release into the environment of harmful substances, e.g., release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic metals, microplastics. Proposals under this topic should:
  Demonstrate (at least at TRL 6) innovative processes for the synthesis of bio-based SSbD additives that:
  Enable a circular EoL for materials and/or products that are currently not recyclable and/or not biodegradable, or
  Improve circularity of materials and/or products, e.g., by requiring resources/energy efficient and safe conditions for recycling or facilitating biodegradation.
  In the context of this topic, circular EoL includes recycling and/or biodegradation. Justify the choice of the proposed solution(s) in addressing existing bottlenecks in the circular EoL of targeted materials and/or products including where embedded additives play a fundamental role in hindering circularity.
  Provide alternative solutions that prevent the release of harmful chemicals during the product life cycle (including from products produced from recyclates) of materials and/or products, while enabling the relevant EoL options. Application of the demonstrated bio-based additives could be relevant for bio-based, partly bio-based or non-bio-based end products.
  Demonstrate (at least at TRL 6) the compatibility and processability of SSbD bio-based additives within the formulation/manufacturing of materials and/or products. Validate the technical performances of materials/products incorporating the novel bio-based additive(s) and proving to fulfil market requirements for selected application sector(s). Target at least two distinct market sectors in cooperation with end-users.
  If targeting biodegradability of end-products, assess that the additives, as well as the end-product, biodegrade safely in different environments (soil and water) according to existing EU/International standards, methods and protocols.
  If targeting recyclability as the EoL, test and validate it, including assessing the effect of the additives on the waste management system (encompassing sorting, separation and recycling). Any recycling route is in scope: mechanical, chemical, organic, enzymatic (including their possible combination).
  In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026[1], proposals under this topic should:
  As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA) approach, involve waste management, product manufacturers, brand owners and consumers, when applicable, starting from the early stages to assess market acceptance and incorporate insights into process/product development.
  Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted chemicals/materials and derived bio-based product(s). For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design.
  Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.
  [1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents
  
  == Voorwaarden (topic conditions) ==
  ">
  General conditions
  1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
  described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
  Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
  2. Eligible countries
  described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
  3. Other Eligibility Conditions
  described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
  described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
  described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
  described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
  5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
  described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
  described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  Specific conditions
  described in section 2.2.3 Calls for proposals in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026
  Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
  Application form templates
  Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System.
  Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
  Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
  Guidance
  HE Programme Guide
  Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
  HE MGA
  Call-specific instructions
  CBE JU Call for proposals 2026
  Additional documents:
  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
  HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
  HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
  EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
  Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
  EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
  Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
  Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
  Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement