Funding Call for High-Performance and Circular Bio-Based Thermosets

The European Commission is funding innovative projects to develop high-performance, circular bio-based thermoset materials under Horizon Europe. The call supports sustainable material innovation aligned with EU policies such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. A total of €14 million is available, with global eligibility for qualified applicants.

Overview

The European Commission invites proposals to advance the development of bio-based thermoset materials that combine high technical performance with sustainability and circularity.

Thermoset materials are widely used in industries such as construction, automotive, and electronics due to their durability and resistance properties. This call aims to make these materials more sustainable by replacing fossil-based inputs with bio-based alternatives and improving their lifecycle impact.

Policy Alignment and Strategic Context

Projects must align with key European sustainability frameworks, including:

Circular Economy Action Plan
Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
Chemical Industry Action Plan
Clean Industrial Deal

These frameworks collectively aim to reduce environmental impact, improve material efficiency, and promote sustainable industrial transformation across Europe.

Key Objectives of the Call

1. Development of Bio-Based Thermoset Materials

Create materials derived from renewable biological sources
Ensure high performance comparable to or exceeding conventional materials
Enable applications across multiple industrial sectors

2. Enhancing Circularity Across Lifecycle

Projects should improve:

Production efficiency and sustainability
Product durability and reuse potential
End-of-life management (recycling, recovery, or safe disposal)

3. Benchmarking Against Existing Materials

Demonstrate improvements over current market alternatives
Provide measurable environmental and performance advantages

4. Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)

All proposals must apply the SSbD framework to:

Evaluate safety and environmental impact
Integrate sustainability at the design stage
Ensure compliance with EU safety standards

5. Research Alignment and Complementarity

Projects must:

Build on previous EU-funded research (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, etc.)
Avoid duplication of existing work
Demonstrate added value and innovation

Funding Details

Budget for this topic: €14 million
Total programme budget: €170,760,699
Programme: Horizon Europe

Funding supports collaborative research and innovation projects with industrial relevance.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants:

Any legal entity worldwide
Universities and research institutions
Companies (including SMEs and startups)
NGOs and international organisations

Additional Participation Rules:

Entities from non-associated third countries are eligible
Affiliated entities and associated partners may participate
Entities without legal personality may join under specific conditions
EU bodies and the Joint Research Centre may be involved

Application Requirements

Applicants must:

Register in the Participant Register
Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
Complete validation before grant agreement signing
Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe rules

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Register your organisation in the EU Participant Register
Obtain your Participant Identification Code (PIC)
Build a consortium with relevant partners (industry, academia, stakeholders)
Design a project that:
- Develops bio-based thermoset materials
- Integrates circularity and lifecycle thinking
- Applies SSbD principles
Demonstrate alignment with EU policies and prior research
Prepare a detailed proposal including:
- Technical approach
- Impact assessment
- Work plan and budget
Submit the application via the Horizon Europe portal

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:

Scientific and technological excellence
Environmental and industrial impact
Contribution to circular economy goals
Feasibility and scalability
Quality of consortium and implementation plan

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to demonstrate clear circularity benefits
Weak comparison with existing market materials
No application of SSbD framework
Lack of alignment with EU policy frameworks
Duplication of previous EU-funded research
Limited industrial relevance or scalability

Why This Funding Matters

This initiative supports Europe’s transition to sustainable materials and a circular economy.

It helps:

Reduce dependence on fossil-based materials
Promote innovation in bio-based industries
Improve environmental performance of industrial products
Strengthen Europe’s competitive advantage in sustainable technologies

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Focus on both performance and sustainability improvements
Include lifecycle analysis and measurable impact indicators
Build strong cross-sector partnerships
Demonstrate scalability and market potential
Clearly align with EU policy priorities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are bio-based thermoset materials?

They are durable materials made from renewable biological sources that harden permanently and are used in high-performance applications.

2. How much funding is available?

€14 million is allocated for this topic under Horizon Europe.

3. Who can apply?

Any legal entity worldwide, including companies, universities, and research organizations.

4. Is collaboration required?

Yes, collaborative projects with multiple stakeholders are typically expected.

5. What is the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework?

It is an EU framework ensuring materials are safe and environmentally sustainable throughout their lifecycle.

6. Can non-EU applicants participate?

Yes, entities from non-associated third countries can apply if they meet Horizon Europe rules.

7. What kind of projects are prioritized?

Projects that deliver high-performance, scalable, and sustainable materials aligned with circular economy principles.

Conclusion

This Horizon Europe call offers a significant opportunity to innovate in the field of bio-based thermoset materials. By combining high performance with sustainability and circularity, the initiative supports the development of next-generation materials that align with Europe’s environmental and industrial goals while driving global progress toward a circular economy.