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

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has opened call HORIZON-JU to fund Innovation Actions developing Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based additives that enable or improve recyclability and/or biodegradability, with an indicative topic budget of around €14 million. Projects must demonstrate solutions at minimum TRL 6, validate compatibility and performance in manufacturing and in at least two market sectors, assess recyclability or biodegradability using recognised standards, and include multi-actor engagement with waste management and end-users. Funding follows Horizon Europe rules under the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model and typically covers up to 70 percent of eligible costs for for-profit entities (up to 100 percent for non-profits). Proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 September 2026, 17:00 CET.

Call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-02 — Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA)

What it funds

Development, demonstration and validation (minimum TRL 6) of safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) bio-based additives and their manufacturing processes that enable or improve circular end-of-life (recycling and/or biodegradation) of materials and products, prevent release of harmful substances across life cycles, and validate compatibility, processability and market-ready performance in at least two distinct market sectors.

Grant size and budget:Topic contribution indicative: around €14,000,000. Overall CBE JU 2026 call budget: €170,760,699 ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: Consortia of legal entities from eligible EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries (industry, SMEs, research organisations, universities, waste managers, brand owners, public bodies).
2. 2Eligibility requirements: Innovation Action-type proposals (HORIZON-JU-IA); demonstrate TRL >= 6 for additive synthesis and application testing.
3. 3Expected activities: synthesis scale-up, integration in formulations, recycling/biodegradation testing (mechanical, chemical, organic, enzymatic routes), life-cycle and waste-system impact assessment, multi-actor engagement (waste managers, manufacturers, brand owners, consumers), application of SSbD framework.

Proposals must justify how the proposed additives remove or reduce bottlenecks to circular end-of-life, avoid release of POPs, VOCs, metals or microplastics, validate safe biodegradation where targeted (soil and water, using recognised EU/international standards), and demonstrate recyclability impacts on sorting/separation and recycling streams.

Applications are submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants should ensure complementarities with past and ongoing Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe and BBI JU/CBE JU projects and include SSbD assessment tasks and multi-actor engagement from early stages.

Footnotes

1. 1See CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page for full topic text, conditions and templates: CBE JU reference documents and Portal topic page.

Call identifiers, key dates and administrative context

Opportunity Title:Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability. Call Title / Call identifier: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 (topic HORIZON-JU). Type of action: HORIZON JU Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-IA). Type of Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Opening date: 23 April 2026. Deadline / submission cut-off: 22 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Submission model: single-stage. Submission channel: Funding & Tenders Portal electronic submission system via the Topic entry point.

Objective, expected outcomes and scope

Objective:Develop and demonstrate bio-based Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) additives that enable or improve circular end-of-life (EoL) options for materials and products by unlocking recyclability and/or biodegradability, while preventing or reducing release of harmful substances during life cycle and EoL. Projects must demonstrate solutions at least at TRL 6 and target multiple market sectors with engagement of end-users and waste management stakeholders.

Expected outcomes:Wider availability of bio-based additives with high functional performance, stability and compatibility with polymers/matrices; contribution to improved circularity of end products in relevant market sectors; potential replicability across additional sectors; reduction or avoidance of environmental impacts related to the life cycle of additives and additive-containing materials and products; alignment with EU policy objectives including the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Chemical Industry Action Plan and relevant Horizon Europe missions on ocean/water and soil restoration.

Detailed scope and technical requirements

Core technical scope and mandatory demonstration requirements:Applicants must demonstrate innovative processes (synthesis and formulation) for bio-based SSbD additives at least at TRL 6 that either enable a circular EoL for materials/products currently not recyclable or biodegradable or improve circularity for materials/products where additives hinder EoL. Circular end-of-life includes recycling and/or biodegradation. Additives may be applied to bio-based, partly bio-based or fossil-derived end products.

1. 1Demonstrate compatibility and processability of SSbD bio-based additives within manufacturing/formulation processes (minimum TRL 6).
2. 2Validate technical performance of materials/products containing the novel additives and show they meet market requirements for the selected application sectors.
3. 3Target at least two distinct market sectors and involve end-users in those sectors in the project.
4. 4If biodegradability is targeted: assess that additives and end-products biodegrade safely in relevant environments (soil and water) according to existing EU/international standards, methods and protocols.
5. 5If recyclability is targeted: test and validate recyclability including effects on waste management systems (sorting, separation and recycling); all recycling routes are in scope, including mechanical, chemical, organic, enzymatic and combinations.
6. 6Justify choice of solutions and show how they address existing bottlenecks where embedded additives hinder circularity.
7. 7Provide alternative solutions to prevent release of harmful chemicals across the product life cycle, including from products made from recyclates.

Cross-cutting and process requirements:Projects must apply a multi-actor approach (MAA) involving waste management organisations, product manufacturers, brand owners and consumers from early stages to assess market acceptance and incorporate stakeholder insights. A project task must apply the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for assessment of the targeted chemicals/materials and derived bio-based products. Projects must ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe clusters, BBI JU/CBE JU projects).

Standards, methodologies and references:Assessments (biodegradability, recyclability, environmental impacts) must use existing EU and international standards, methods and protocols. Applicants are required to follow the specific requirements for HORIZON-JU-IA actions as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Horizon Europe General Annexes. For reference material and background documentation consult the CBE JU reference documents CBE JU Reference Documents ¹.

Eligibility, participation rules and administrative conditions

Eligible countries and entities:Participation and eligibility conditions follow Horizon Europe rules as set out in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (Annex B) and the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026. Participants from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are generally eligible. Certain non-associated third countries may be eligible under specific national arrangements — consult Annex B and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Legal and financial eligibility, operational capacity checks and exclusion rules apply as described in the General Annexes (Annex C).

• Eligible applicant types: research organisations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, industrial companies (product manufacturers and brand owners), waste management companies, non-profit organisations, NGOs, public authorities, technology providers, testing laboratories, and other legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe rules. The Call is open to multi-actor consortia including industrial partners and end-users.
• Consortium requirement: consortium-based projects are expected given the multi-actor and cross-sectoral nature and the requirement to target at least two market sectors and involve waste management and end-users. The topic is published under Innovation Actions which typically expect multi-partner consortia; single applicants are generally not appropriate.
• Geographic scope / Beneficiary scope: primarily EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Third-country participation is subject to the Horizon Europe rules and possible national co-funding provisions.

Admissibility / proposal format:Proposals must respect page limits and layout rules indicated in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (Annex A and Annex E) and the Application Form Part B in the submission system. Use the application form available in the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Applicants should consult the Online Manual and Programme Guide for submission procedures.

Financial information, budget and typical award size

Call-level budget and indicative contribution amounts:The CBE JU 2026 call package has an indicative total contribution of €170,760,699 across all topics. The specific topic Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability is listed among Innovation Actions with an indicative contribution of around €14,000,000 allocated for the topic in the CBE JU call overview. Individual grant sizes for Innovation Actions under this call are shown in the call budget overview with typical indicative award ranges for IA topics between approximately €3,250,000 and €20,000,000 depending on the topic type; for this specific IA topic the indicative contribution is around €14,000,000 as per the CBE JU 2026 call documentation.

Funding Type:Grant (Horizon Europe grant to third parties) — direct financial contribution under the CBE JU implementation of Horizon Europe. The funding will follow Horizon Europe grant rules and the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based MGA.

Nature of support and co-funding:The opportunity provides monetary support (grant). Standard Horizon Europe funding rates and eligible cost rules apply for Innovation Actions. Applicants must consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the Work Programme General Annexes for specific funding rates and eligible cost categories. Co-funding is not precluded; projects may be expected to provide co-investment or in-kind contributions (for instance by industry/private partners) especially when aiming for large-scale demonstration or deployment — check the CBE JU Annual Work Programme and specific call guidance for details.

Evaluation, selection process and timelines

Evaluation and award criteria:The award criteria, scoring, thresholds and evaluation procedures follow the Horizon Europe General Annexes (Annex D on award criteria; Annex F on submission and evaluation procedures). Proposals will be evaluated against excellence (relevance to topic, quality of concept and objectives, soundness of the SSbD approach), impact (contribution to expected outcomes, market replication, uptake, environmental benefits) and implementation (workplan, consortium, resources, risk management, TRL advancement), using the standard Horizon Europe evaluation templates adapted as needed for the JU. Submission and evaluation will follow the standard single-stage process with peer review and possible remote or panel consensus meetings.

Indicative timeline:Opening 23 April 2026; deadline 22 September 2026. Indicative evaluation and grant agreement timeline are provided in Annex F of the General Annexes and in CBE JU call documents; applicants should consult the Funding & Tenders Portal for the precise evaluation schedule and grant preparation dates.

Application process, templates and required documents

Application type and submission method:Open single-stage call. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Use the application form available in the Submission System. Applicants must select the correct action type (HORIZON-JU-IA) and the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based MGA when starting submission; this choice cannot be changed after starting the submission.

1. 1Primary documents to prepare and upload: Application Form (Part A and Part B), administrative forms, ethics self-assessment if relevant, budgets and declarations required by the Portal.
2. 2Call-specific supporting documents: CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), any topic-specific annexes, and the SSbD framework guidance and methodological guidance for the application of SSbD in the project.
3. 3For IA-Flagship actions: additional business plan annex (not applicable to non-flagship IA topics unless specified).
4. 4Applicants are encouraged to consult the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and national NCPs for proposal preparation support.

Application form structure and templates:Use the application form provided in the Submission System. The Part B template and instructions define the structure, including sections on excellence (objectives, relation to topic, TRL, SSbD application), impact (expected outcomes, market uptake, exploitation, dissemination), implementation (work packages, deliverables, milestones, management, consortium, budget), and ethics and data management. Applicants must respect page limits and formatting rules in Annex A/E of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation form templates (standard HE RIA/IA forms) will be used with necessary adaptations.

Success rates, evaluation stages and likely number of funded projects

Success rates:Success rates are not provided explicitly for each topic in the call text. Historical Horizon Europe / CBE JU topic success rates vary by topic, evaluation round, and available budget. Applicants should assume competitive selection and focus on high-quality demonstration at TRL 6+, robust SSbD application, multi-actor engagement, and clear market deployment pathway to increase likelihood of success.

Application stages:Single-stage submission; evaluation by external experts using standard Horizon Europe procedures. Number of formal application stages to obtain funding: 1 (single-stage proposal submission and evaluation) followed by grant preparation and negotiation for successful proposals. The evaluation and award sequence follows the Annex F process which includes eligibility check, remote evaluation, consensus meetings and ranking, and grant preparation.

Key requirements applicants must address in proposals

1. 1Demonstrate SSbD bio-based additive synthesis and formulation at minimum TRL 6, including scale-up considerations where relevant.
2. 2Validate additive compatibility, stability and processability across manufacturing routes and with target matrices/polymers.
3. 3Provide validated performance data for materials/products incorporating the additives to meet market requirements in at least two distinct market sectors.
4. 4Conduct environmental and safety assessments using SSbD framework and applicable EU/international standards for biodegradability, recyclability and emissions; prevent release of harmful substances during life cycle and EoL.
5. 5Engage multi-actor stakeholders from early stages: waste managers, product manufacturers, brand owners, consumers and other relevant actors.
6. 6Test and validate recyclability and/or biodegradability at relevant scales and show impact on waste management systems; include mechanical, chemical, organic and enzymatic recycling routes where appropriate.
7. 7Detail replication and scaling potential into other industrial sectors and business models for market uptake.
8. 8Demonstrate complementarity with existing projects and build on relevant past R&I outputs (Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, BBI JU/CBE JU).

Target sectors, project maturity and technology focus

Target sector(s):The topic is cross-sectoral and targets sectors where additives play a fundamental role in performance but hinder circular end-of-life. Examples include plastics and polymer-based products, packaging, textiles, coatings and films, adhesives and sealants, construction materials, automotive components, agricultural films, personal care & home products (when additives are present in materials), and other industrial sectors where additives are critical to function. Projects must target at least two distinct market sectors.

Project stage / expected maturity:Demonstration and validation stage — projects must demonstrate technologies at or above TRL 6 (system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in relevant environment) and provide routes to scale-up, validation in manufacturing processes and market-ready performance evidence.

Who should apply

Appropriate applicants and consortium composition:Consortia combining technology developers (chemical formulators, material scientists), industrial partners (product manufacturers, brand owners), waste management and recycling operators, accredited testing and certification bodies, environmental and life-cycle assessment experts, and research organisations are ideal. SMEs and startups with relevant additives or formulation technologies are encouraged, together with large enterprises for market uptake and scale demonstration.

Practical recommendations for applicants

1. 1Start early to secure commitment from end-users and waste management partners; evidence of multi-actor engagement strengthens the impact case.
2. 2Prepare robust TRL evidence and a credible demonstration plan to reach or exceed TRL 6 by project start or quickly thereafter.
3. 3Plan tests against standardized biodegradability and recyclability protocols; engage accredited labs for compliance evidence.
4. 4Include clear exploitation and business plans showing market replication potential and cross-sector transferability.
5. 5Document complementarity with past CBE JU, BBI JU, Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe projects and indicate how the proposal adds value beyond existing results.
6. 6Apply the SSbD framework and reference the JRC methodological guidance and SSbD toolbox outputs when designing assessments and safety evaluations.

Mentioned countries / geographic references:The call references EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as the primary eligible geography and notes that some non-associated third countries may be eligible under specific national arrangements. No individual countries are explicitly named in the topic text.

Templates and application structure guidance

Use the Application Form in the Submission System. The Part B structure and typical headings you will need to prepare include: (1) Excellence: objectives, relation to CBE JU topic, SSbD approach, TRL and state-of-the-art, innovation beyond state-of-the-art, methodology and risk management; (2) Impact: expected outcomes and impacts, market uptake pathway, replicability and scalability, exploitation and dissemination plan, socio-economic benefits, contribution to EU policy objectives; (3) Implementation: work packages (detailed workplan), deliverables, milestones, Gantt, consortium and consortium roles, resources and budget breakdown, risk management and contingency; (4) Ethics and data management; (5) Letters of support, stakeholder engagement evidence, test and standard compliance documentation, and complementarity statements with existing projects. Respect page limits and formatting as defined in Part B instructions in the Submission System and the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation form templates and guidance are available and will be used with adaptations (Standard evaluation form HE RIA/IA). Applicants should consult the CBE JU call-specific instructions and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for detailed scoring rules, thresholds and criteria.

Summary: What this opportunity is about and how to explain it

This CBE JU Horizon Europe Innovation Action topic solicits multi-actor projects to develop, demonstrate and validate bio-based additives designed to be Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) that enable or restore circular end-of-life for materials and products. The emphasis is on demonstrating solutions at least at TRL 6 that either make currently non-recyclable or non-biodegradable products circular, or improve circularity (reduce energy/resource needs for recycling or enable safe biodegradation), while preventing release of harmful substances during use and end-of-life. Applicants must validate technical performance, compatibility with manufacturing, and sector-specific requirements across at least two market sectors, engage waste management and end-user stakeholders early, apply the EU SSbD framework, and ensure alignment with EU policy objectives on pollution, circular economy and chemicals. Funding is provided as Horizon Europe grants under the CBE JU, with an indicative topic contribution of around €14 million and submission via a single-stage electronic application to the Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 September 2026.

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU reference documents and the Annual Work Programme 2026 are available at cbe.europa.eu

Opportunity Overview

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is launching a targeted call for Innovation Actions (IA) focused on developing bio-based additives that unlock and enhance the recyclability and/or biodegradability of materials and products. This opportunity is part of the broader HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 call, which allocates €170.7 million across 13 distinct topics to accelerate sustainable and competitive bio-based solutions across Europe. The specific topic HORIZON-JU addresses a critical market gap: while additives are essential for conferring specific properties to materials, their presence often hinders circular end-of-life pathways, including recycling and biodegradation, and can release harmful substances into the environment.

Call Identifier and Timeline

Call Reference:HORIZON-JU

Opening Date:23 April 2026

Submission Deadline:22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time)

Submission Model:Single-stage submission

Funding Details

Budget Allocation for This Topic:Approximately €14 million

Total Call Budget:€170.7 million across all 13 topics in HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026

Funding Rate:Up to 70 percent of eligible project costs for profit-making entities; up to 100 percent for non-profit entities

Typical Project Budget Range:€7 million per Innovation Action project

Type of Action and Grant Agreement

This call is for Innovation Actions (IA), which scale up activities from prototype to product validation and market replication. The grant agreement model is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG), following standard Horizon Europe procedures and financial rules.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

Successful proposals will contribute to implementation of multiple EU strategic frameworks including 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. Projects must align with the Horizon Europe Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, specifically Objective 2 on preventing and eliminating pollution of oceans, seas and waters, and the Horizon Europe Mission A Soil Deal for Europe, particularly objectives on reducing soil pollution and enhancing restoration. ¹

Problem Statement and Scope

The call addresses a fundamental challenge in the circular economy:while additives are necessary to confer specific properties to materials and products, their presence can hinder circular end-of-life pathways. Risks upon recycling and biodegradation include release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic metals, and microplastics. Current bio-based materials often fail to deliver on sustainability promises due to inadequate waste infrastructure, complex recycling pathways, and incomplete biodegradation in natural environments. ² The opportunity seeks solutions that prevent these environmental impacts while enabling viable circular end-of-life options.

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful projects are expected to deliver:

• Wider availability of bio-based additives with high functional properties, stability, and compatibility with polymers and 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 the life cycle of additives and additive-containing materials and products

Technical Requirements and Scope of Work

Proposals must address the following core requirements:

Technology Readiness Level

Demonstration of innovative processes for synthesis of bio-based Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) additives at minimum TRL 6 (pilot demonstration in operational environment). Proposals must show either enabling circular end-of-life for currently non-recyclable and/or non-biodegradable materials, or improving circularity through resource and energy-efficient, safe conditions for recycling or facilitated biodegradation.

Justification and Alternative Solutions

Applicants must justify their proposed solution in addressing existing bottlenecks in circular end-of-life pathways, including identification of where embedded additives play a fundamental role in hindering circularity. Proposals must provide alternative solutions that prevent release of harmful chemicals during the product life cycle, including from products produced from recyclates, while enabling relevant end-of-life options. The demonstrated bio-based additives may be applied to bio-based, partly bio-based, or non-bio-based end products.

Compatibility and Performance Validation

Proposals must demonstrate compatibility and processability of SSbD bio-based additives within formulation and manufacturing of materials and products at TRL 6 minimum. Technical performances of materials and products incorporating the novel bio-based additive(s) must be validated to prove fulfillment of market requirements for selected application sectors. Projects must target at least two distinct market sectors in cooperation with end-users.

Biodegradability Assessment

If targeting biodegradability of end-products, proposals must assess that both the additives and the end-product biodegrade safely in different environments (soil and water) according to existing EU and International standards, methods, and protocols. Current standards and testing protocols have limitations in predicting biodegradability in ocean, soil, or open air environments, and proposals should address these gaps. ³

Recyclability Validation

If targeting recyclability as the end-of-life pathway, proposals must test and validate it, including assessing the effect of additives on the waste management system encompassing sorting, separation, and recycling. Any recycling route is in scope: mechanical, chemical, organic, enzymatic, or combinations thereof. Proposals should demonstrate that additives remain inactive during recycling processes and do not interfere with material strength or quality. ⁴

Multi-Actor Approach

Proposals must involve waste management operators, product manufacturers, brand owners, and consumers (when applicable) starting from early project stages to assess market acceptance and incorporate insights into process and product development.

Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework

Proposals must include a dedicated task to apply the SSbD framework developed by the European Commission for assessment of targeted chemicals, materials, and derived bio-based products. The revised SSbD framework, updated in March 2026, provides a voluntary decision-making approach to guide innovation towards chemicals and materials that are safer and more sustainable over their whole life cycles. ⁵

Complementarity with Existing Projects

Proposals must ensure complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe (particularly Cluster 6), and previous BBI JU or current CBE JU projects.

Eligibility and Participant Requirements

Eligible participants include research organizations, universities, SMEs, startups, large enterprises, and other legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries. The call is also open to UK companies. Participants must have the financial and operational capacity to implement the project. Specific eligibility conditions are detailed in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated according to standard Horizon Europe criteria as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation will assess excellence, implementation feasibility, and impact potential. The evaluation process follows procedures outlined in Annex F of the General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Online Manual. An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement conclusion is provided in Annex F.

Application Process and Support

Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal using the application form available in the submission system. The submission is single-stage, meaning all proposals are evaluated in one round. Applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, and the Online Manual for detailed guidance. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide country-specific guidance and support. The NCP_WIDERA.NET project offers a pre-check proposal service for eligible applicants.

Key Documents and Resources

• CBE JU Annual Work Programme and Budget 2026 - contains complete topic descriptions, conditions, and requirements
• Horizon Europe Programme Guide - detailed guidance on structure, budget, and political priorities
• Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes - admissibility conditions, eligibility, evaluation criteria, and procedures
• EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA) - legal and financial setup of grants
• Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework and Methodological Guidance - framework for assessing chemicals and materials
• Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual - procedures from proposal submission to grant management
• CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) 2022-2030 - strategic priorities and vision

Broader CBE JU Context

The CBE JU is a €2 billion public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), operating under Horizon Europe. It is the legal successor to the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), which since 2014 has supported European bio-based industries, generating €3.52 of private investment for every euro of public funding. The CBE JU mission is to advance a competitive bioeconomy for a sustainable Europe by funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions across feedstock, processing, products, and cross-cutting aspects of communication and environmental sustainability. ⁶

Market Context and Industry Challenges

The bio-based additives market faces significant challenges. While bio-based materials are marketed as biodegradable and sustainable, many do not deliver on these promises due to infrastructure gaps, complex recycling pathways, and incomplete biodegradation in natural environments. Bio-based does not automatically equal circular or sustainable. Substantial and harmonized investment in waste infrastructure is required for bio-based materials to fulfill their objectives. ² This call seeks to address these gaps by developing additives that genuinely enable circular end-of-life pathways while preventing environmental harm.

Contact and Further Information

For questions regarding this call, applicants should contact info[at]cbe.europa.eu. The EU Funding and Tenders Portal provides access to the submission system, partner search functionality, and comprehensive guidance. National Contact Points in each country offer localized support and advice on participation in Horizon Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network provides specialized support for SMEs.

Footnotes

1. 1Policy alignment information sourced from the official call documentation on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and CBE JU website.
2. 2Bio-based materials face significant sustainability challenges including inadequate end-of-life pathways, incomplete biodegradation in natural environments even after extended periods, and potential greenwashing concerns. Substantial infrastructure investment and harmonized standards are required for genuine circular economy contribution.
3. 3Current standards and testing protocols have limitations in reliably predicting biodegradability in ocean, soil, or open air environments, and do not adequately account for ecological impacts or include comprehensive toxicity testing. Proposals should address these methodological gaps.
4. 4Bio-based additives designed for circular end-of-life should remain inactive during recycling processes, maintaining material strength and quality, while activating only after the material reaches its final end-of-life stage in landfills or natural environments.
5. 5The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, revised in March 2026, provides a voluntary decision-making approach to guide innovation towards chemicals and materials that are safer and more sustainable over their whole life cycles. The updated framework incorporates feedback from over 80 case studies and extensive stakeholder consultation. Methodological Guidance version 2 is expected in April 2026.
6. 6The CBE JU is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) operating under Horizon Europe. It succeeded the BBI JU, which generated €3.52 of private investment per euro of public funding since 2014. The CBE JU funds Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs), Innovation Actions (IAs), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) across 13 topics in 2026.