Deadline: 12-Aug-2026
The King Baudouin Foundation is inviting applications to develop a circular and sustainable alternative to traditional silo tires made from recycled tire materials. The selected project will receive €75,000 to €125,000 over 12 to 18 months to create and validate an innovative prototype that reduces environmental impacts while supporting sustainable agriculture in Belgium.
King Baudouin Foundation Circular Silo Tire Innovation Grant
The King Baudouin Foundation has launched a funding opportunity to support the development of an innovative and circular alternative to conventional silo tires used on livestock farms. The initiative aims to replace traditional waste tires with a safer, environmentally responsible solution manufactured from recycled tire materials.
The programme follows a stage-gated innovation process, combining design thinking, farmer participation, prototype development, testing, and validation to ensure the final solution is practical, scalable, and suitable for agricultural use.
About the Grant Programme
The grant supports multidisciplinary teams that can design, develop, and validate a functional replacement for conventional silo tires.
Traditional vehicle tires are widely used by livestock farmers to secure tarpaulins covering silage. However, these tires can release harmful chemicals, generate microplastics, collect stagnant water, and create breeding grounds for insects. This programme seeks to address these environmental and agricultural challenges through circular innovation.
The project is supported by Green’er and administered through the King Baudouin Foundation.
Funding Information
Applicants can receive funding ranging from €75,000 to €125,000.
Key funding details include:
- Grant amount ranges from €75,000 to €125,000
- Project duration must be 12 to 18 months
- One multidisciplinary team will be selected
- Funding supports the complete innovation journey from concept to validated prototype
Programme Focus Areas
The programme supports projects that contribute to:
- Circular economy
- Sustainable agriculture
- Recycling and reuse of tire materials
- Environmental protection
- Reduction of microplastic pollution
- Climate-friendly agricultural practices
- Design thinking
- Prototype development
- Farmer-centered innovation
- Sustainable product design
- Agricultural technology innovation
Project Objectives
Successful projects should:
- Develop a functional replacement for traditional silo tires.
- Use recycled tire materials in a circular and sustainable manner.
- Apply design thinking throughout the innovation process.
- Engage farmers during product development and testing.
- Produce a validated prototype suitable for practical agricultural use.
- Demonstrate environmental and operational benefits over conventional silo tires.
Why This Grant Matters
Conventional silo tires have become a significant environmental concern because they can:
- Release harmful substances into soil and water.
- Generate microplastics through weathering.
- Create breeding sites for mosquitoes and insects.
- Present disposal and waste management challenges.
- Contribute to agricultural pollution.
Developing a circular alternative can:
- Reduce environmental contamination.
- Promote sustainable farming.
- Improve waste tire recycling.
- Encourage circular economy practices.
- Support innovation in agricultural equipment.
- Benefit livestock farmers through safer and more sustainable solutions.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Companies based in Belgium
- Knowledge institutions
- Mixed consortia combining multiple organizations
Applicants should have expertise in areas such as:
- Product development
- Circular economy
- Agricultural innovation
- Materials engineering
- Industrial design
- Environmental sustainability
- Prototype development
Innovation Process
The selected project will follow a structured stage-gated innovation process.
Stage 1: Scoping
- Assess existing challenges.
- Define user requirements.
- Study farmer needs.
- Develop initial concepts.
Stage 2: Design and Development
- Apply design thinking methods.
- Create product concepts.
- Select suitable recycled materials.
- Develop engineering solutions.
Stage 3: Prototype Development
- Build working prototypes.
- Conduct laboratory and field testing.
- Collect farmer feedback.
- Refine the design.
Stage 4: Validation
- Validate technical performance.
- Evaluate environmental benefits.
- Demonstrate practical usability.
- Finalize the prototype for future deployment.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a strong proposal demonstrating both technical expertise and innovation potential.
The application process generally includes:
- Review the official programme guidelines.
- Form an eligible company, institution, or consortium.
- Develop an innovative concept for a circular silo tire alternative.
- Explain how recycled tire materials will be used.
- Describe the design thinking methodology.
- Demonstrate farmer engagement throughout the project.
- Present a realistic implementation timeline of 12–18 months.
- Prepare a detailed project budget.
- Submit the application before the official deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve the chances of success:
- Clearly explain the environmental problem being addressed.
- Demonstrate technical feasibility with a realistic development plan.
- Include multidisciplinary expertise within the project team.
- Show active involvement of farmers during product design and testing.
- Highlight the circular economy benefits of the proposed solution.
- Present measurable environmental and agricultural impacts.
- Provide a practical roadmap toward a validated prototype.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following issues when preparing your proposal:
- Failing to explain the circular innovation approach.
- Limited evidence of farmer involvement.
- Weak prototype validation plans.
- Unrealistic budgets or timelines.
- Insufficient technical detail.
- Ignoring environmental impact assessment.
- Lack of collaboration across relevant disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
The grant is offered by the King Baudouin Foundation with support from Green’er.
How much funding is available?
Projects can receive between €75,000 and €125,000.
How long can projects run?
Projects must be completed within 12 to 18 months.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include companies, knowledge institutions, and mixed consortia based in Belgium.
What type of projects are supported?
Projects focused on developing a circular alternative to traditional silo tires using recycled tire materials are eligible.
Why are conventional silo tires being replaced?
Traditional silo tires can release harmful chemicals, contribute to microplastic pollution, and create environmental and health risks, making sustainable alternatives increasingly important.
What is the expected final outcome?
The selected team should deliver a validated prototype that offers a practical, environmentally friendly, and circular replacement for conventional silo tires.
Conclusion
The King Baudouin Foundation Circular Silo Tire Innovation Grant presents an important opportunity for Belgian companies, research institutions, and multidisciplinary consortia to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. By funding innovative prototypes that transform recycled tire materials into practical alternatives for silage storage, the programme promotes circular economy principles, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability within the agricultural sector.
For more information, visit King Baudouin Foundation.