Deadline: 22-Sep-2026
The European Commission is funding projects under Horizon Europe to develop bio-based additives that improve material recyclability and biodegradability while reducing environmental harm across product life cycles. The programme targets Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design innovations that replace conventional additives that hinder circular economy processes. Projects must demonstrate industrial-scale readiness (TRL 6+), real-world compatibility, and validated environmental safety across multiple sectors.
Overview
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to develop next-generation bio-based additives that enhance the circularity of materials used in industrial products.
The programme focuses on replacing conventional chemical additives that often make plastics and polymers difficult to recycle or safely biodegrade.
Total funding allocation under Horizon Europe: €170,760,699
Dedicated topic: Bio-based additives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability – €14 million
Key Objectives of the Programme
This funding call supports innovation in sustainable materials science and circular economy technologies.
Core objectives include:
- Development of high-performance bio-based additives
- Improving recyclability of polymer-based materials
- Enabling safe biodegradation of products
- Enhancing circular economy performance of industrial materials
- Reducing environmental impact across full life cycles
- Preventing release of hazardous substances during use and disposal
- Supporting Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) principles
- Ensuring cross-sector industrial applicability
What Are Bio-based Additives?
Bio-based additives are functional substances derived from biological sources that are added to materials (especially plastics and polymers) to improve their properties.
Key functions include:
- Enhancing material flexibility, durability, or stability
- Enabling easier recycling processes
- Supporting controlled biodegradation
- Reducing dependency on fossil-based chemical additives
- Minimizing toxic or persistent environmental residues
Focus Areas of the Programme
The funding call prioritizes advanced innovation across multiple technical domains.
1. Material performance and compatibility
- High functional performance of additives
- Stability under industrial processing conditions
- Compatibility with existing polymer systems
2. Circularity and end-of-life solutions
- Improved recyclability of plastics and composites
- Enhanced biodegradability in natural environments
- Support for circular product design and waste recovery systems
3. Environmental safety
- Prevention of toxic emissions during lifecycle
- Avoidance of persistent pollutants and heavy metals
- Reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Elimination of microplastic generation during degradation
4. Industrial integration
- Compatibility with manufacturing processes
- Applicability across multiple industrial sectors
- Scalability for market adoption
Technical Requirements for Funded Projects
Projects must demonstrate advanced readiness and real-world feasibility.
Technology readiness level (TRL):
- Minimum TRL 6 (prototype demonstrated in relevant environment)
Required validations:
- Industrial-scale synthesis or production processes
- Performance testing in real manufacturing conditions
- Environmental lifecycle assessment (LCA)
- Safety and toxicity evaluation
Industrial Application Requirements
Proposals must show practical use across at least two industrial sectors.
Example sectors include:
- Packaging and plastics
- Automotive materials
- Construction materials
- Textiles and composites
- Electronics manufacturing
Collaboration requirement:
- End-user involvement is mandatory for validation and scaling
Biodegradability and Recyclability Requirements
If biodegradability is targeted:
- Additives must degrade safely in:
- Soil environments
- Aquatic environments
- Compliance with established biodegradation standards is required
- No toxic residue after degradation
If recyclability is targeted:
- Additives must not interfere with:
- Sorting systems
- Mechanical recycling processes
- Chemical recycling technologies
- Must improve or maintain recycling efficiency
- Must support high-quality material recovery
Environmental Protection Requirements
Projects must explicitly prevent harmful environmental outcomes.
Must avoid:
- Persistent organic pollutants
- Toxic heavy metals
- Hazardous chemical residues
- Volatile emissions during production or disposal
- Microplastic formation during degradation or recycling
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open under Horizon Europe eligibility rules.
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities and research institutions
- Private companies (SMEs and large enterprises)
- Industrial technology developers
- International organisations
- Cross-border consortia of legal entities
Why This Programme Matters
This funding call supports the transition to a circular and low-impact materials economy.
Key benefits:
- Improves plastic and polymer recyclability
- Reduces landfill and waste accumulation
- Eliminates harmful additive chemicals
- Supports EU circular economy and climate goals
- Enables safer material life cycles
- Strengthens industrial sustainability innovation
- Promotes cross-sector material standardization
How It Works / How to Apply
Step-by-step process:
- Form a consortium of eligible partners across industry and research
- Identify the Horizon Europe call topic on bio-based additives
- Develop a detailed technical proposal including:
- Additive design and chemical pathway
- Manufacturing and scaling strategy (TRL ≥ 6)
- Environmental impact assessment
- Recycling or biodegradation validation plan
- Industrial pilot demonstration plan
- Submit application via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- Evaluation by expert reviewers based on:
- Scientific excellence
- Industrial feasibility
- Environmental impact
- Selected projects receive grant funding for implementation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Technical mistakes:
- Focusing only on lab-scale results without industrial validation
- Weak evidence of compatibility with existing manufacturing systems
- No clear TRL progression plan
Environmental mistakes:
- Ignoring lifecycle toxicity risks
- Lack of degradation or recycling validation data
- Poor assessment of microplastic or pollutant risks
Strategic mistakes:
- Limited industrial sector applicability
- No end-user or industry partner involvement
- Weak scalability or commercialization pathway
Tips for Strong Proposals
- Clearly demonstrate TRL 6+ readiness
- Include real industrial pilot partners
- Provide dual validation (lab + field/industrial)
- Address both recycling and environmental safety explicitly
- Show cross-sector adaptability of the additive
- Include measurable sustainability indicators (LCA, toxicity, recyclability rates)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the goal of this EU funding call?
The goal is to develop bio-based additives that improve recyclability and biodegradability of materials while reducing environmental harm.
2. How much funding is available?
The overall programme includes €170,760,699, with €14 million specifically allocated to bio-based additives for circularity.
3. What TRL level is required?
Projects must reach at least Technology Readiness Level 6, meaning prototypes must be demonstrated in relevant industrial environments.
4. Which industries can benefit from these additives?
Industries such as packaging, automotive, construction, textiles, electronics, and polymer manufacturing can benefit.
5. What environmental conditions must be met?
Additives must not release toxic substances and must ensure safe degradation or improved recyclability without microplastic formation.
6. Can international organisations apply?
Yes, international organisations can participate if they meet Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
7. Is industrial collaboration mandatory?
Yes, projects must involve end-users and demonstrate performance in real industrial conditions across at least two sectors.
Conclusion
This Horizon Europe funding call is a strategic investment in circular materials innovation. By supporting bio-based additives that improve recyclability and biodegradability, the programme aims to eliminate harmful chemical additives, reduce environmental pollution, and enable safer, more sustainable industrial materials across multiple sectors.
For more information, visit European Commission.
