CFPs: Boosting Biorefinery Competitiveness through Biotech

The European Commission is funding projects to scale up industrial biomanufacturing and strengthen Europe’s biotechnology ecosystem through full-scale biorefineries and value chains. The programme supports market-ready bio-based products such as chemicals, polymers, enzymes, and intermediates, while excluding primary food and feed production. Projects must demonstrate TRL 6+ validated end products, improved sustainability, and strong commercial viability.

Overview

The European Commission is inviting applications under Horizon Europe to accelerate the industrial-scale deployment of sustainable biomanufacturing systems.

The goal is to strengthen Europe’s bioeconomy by developing competitive, resource-efficient, and circular biotechnology-based production systems.

Total funding allocation: €170,760,699
Dedicated topic: Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotechnology – €20 million

Key Objectives of the Programme

This initiative supports the transformation of industrial biotechnology into fully scalable and market-driven production systems.

Core objectives include:

• Scaling up industrial biorefineries and biomanufacturing systems
• Strengthening EU biotechnology ecosystems
• Improving circularity and resource efficiency
• Enhancing competitiveness and strategic autonomy in bio-based industries
• Delivering market-ready bio-based products
• Increasing sustainability compared to conventional benchmarks

What Is Sustainable Biomanufacturing?

Sustainable biomanufacturing refers to the industrial production of materials and products using biological systems such as microorganisms, enzymes, or engineered cells.

Key outputs include:

• Bio-based chemicals
• Industrial intermediates
• Bio-polymers
• Enzymes
• Bio-based ingredients (non-food/feed primary use)

Scope of Eligible Products

The programme focuses on industrial and high-value bio-based outputs.

Eligible categories:

• Chemicals (bulk and specialty)
• Industrial intermediates
• Polymers and advanced materials
• Enzymes and biocatalysts
• Bio-based ingredients (non-food applications)

Explicit exclusions:

• Food products (primary output)
• Feed products (primary output)

Focus Areas of the Programme

1. Industrial-scale biorefineries

Projects must demonstrate full-scale bio-based production systems.

• End-to-end biorefinery integration
• Conversion of biomass into multiple product streams
• Scalable industrial deployment

2. Market-ready bio-based products

• Products must be ready for real-world industrial use
• Demonstration of performance against market benchmarks
• Validation of commercial applicability

3. Sustainability and circularity

Projects must outperform conventional systems.

• Reduced environmental footprint
• Improved resource efficiency
• Circular use of biomass and waste streams
• Lower emissions and waste generation

4. EU strategic autonomy and competitiveness

• Reduced dependency on fossil-based imports
• Strengthened European biotech supply chains
• Increased resilience of industrial ecosystems

Technical Requirements

Projects must demonstrate both biological innovation and industrial readiness.

Technology readiness level (TRL):

• Minimum TRL 6 required for:
  • Cell, enzyme, or microorganism optimisation
  • Industrial use case validation
• End products must also reach:
  • TRL 6 or higher

Required demonstration:

• Conversion of biorefinery outputs into at least one validated end product
• Proof of viable industrial business model
• Potential expansion to additional high-value applications

Product Development Requirements

Projects must prove industrial feasibility and commercial viability.

Required validation includes:

• Functional performance of end products
• Industrial-scale conversion processes
• Market-relevant product testing
• Business case demonstration
• Scalability beyond pilot stage

Sustainability and Benchmarking Requirements

All solutions must be compared against conventional production systems.

Key criteria:

• Lower environmental impact than fossil-based alternatives
• Improved resource efficiency
• Reduced emissions and waste
• Enhanced lifecycle sustainability
• Circular economy integration

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open under Horizon Europe rules with global participation allowed.

Eligible applicants include:

• Companies (SMEs and large enterprises)
• Research institutions and universities
• Industrial biotechnology firms
• International organisations
• Legal entities from any country

Key requirement:

• Must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility conditions

Administrative Requirements

Registration:

• All participants must register in the EU Participant Register
• A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is required before grant agreement signing

Participation structure:

• Affiliated entities allowed under defined conditions
• Associated partners may participate without funding rights
• Entities without legal personality may participate if legally compliant
• EU bodies and associations may join consortia
• Participation subject to Horizon Europe rules and validation

Why This Programme Matters

This initiative supports Europe’s transition to a competitive, low-carbon industrial bioeconomy.

Key benefits:

• Accelerates industrial biotechnology scale-up
• Reduces dependence on fossil-based chemical industries
• Strengthens EU bio-based manufacturing ecosystems
• Improves sustainability of industrial production
• Enables circular and resource-efficient value chains
• Enhances Europe’s strategic autonomy and resilience
• Supports high-value green industrial innovation

How It Works / How to Apply

Step-by-step process:

1. Form a consortium (industry + biotech + research partners)
2. Identify relevant Horizon Europe biomanufacturing call topic
3. Develop a detailed proposal including:
   • Biorefinery design and scaling strategy
   • TRL 6+ validation plan
   • End-product conversion pathway
   • Market and business case analysis
   • Sustainability and benchmarking assessment
4. Submit application via EU Funding & Tenders Portal
5. Evaluation based on:
   • Scientific and technological excellence
   • Industrial feasibility and scalability
   • Environmental and economic impact
6. Selected projects receive EU funding for deployment and scale-up

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Technical mistakes:

• Weak TRL 6 validation evidence
• No clear biorefinery-to-product conversion pathway
• Overly lab-scale focus without industrial scaling

Commercial mistakes:

• Missing business case or market analysis
• No demonstration of product-market fit
• Weak end-product validation

Scope mistakes:

• Including food or feed as primary outputs (not allowed)
• Lack of industrial biotechnology integration
• Poor sustainability benchmarking

Tips for Strong Applications

• Clearly demonstrate industrial-scale biorefinery integration
• Focus on TRL 6+ validated end products
• Provide strong business and market case analysis
• Ensure clear sustainability benchmarking vs fossil systems
• Build strong biotech-industrial consortia
• Highlight scalability and multiple product outputs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the goal of this funding programme?

To scale up industrial biomanufacturing and strengthen EU biotechnology ecosystems through sustainable, market-ready bio-based production.

2. How much funding is available?

The total budget is €170,760,699, with €20 million dedicated to biorefinery competitiveness through biotechnology.

3. What products are eligible?

Chemicals, intermediates, polymers, enzymes, and bio-based ingredients (non-food/feed primary outputs).

4. What TRL level is required?

TRL 6 is required for both technology components and validated end products.

5. Are food or feed products allowed?

No, food and feed as primary outputs are excluded.

6. Who can apply?

Any legal entity globally, including companies, research institutions, and international organisations, meeting Horizon Europe rules.

7. What is the main requirement for projects?

Projects must demonstrate industrial-scale biorefineries with validated end products and viable business cases.

Conclusion

This Horizon Europe call accelerates the industrialisation of sustainable biomanufacturing by enabling large-scale biorefineries and high-value bio-based products. By focusing on TRL 6+ validated solutions, circular resource use, and strong business viability, the programme strengthens Europe’s biotechnology ecosystem while advancing climate-neutral and competitive industrial production systems.