Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties

The HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-03 grant focuses on advancing circular bio-based fibre packaging solutions. This call is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically under the Circular Bio-based Joint Undertaking. It aims to support the large-scale demonstration of sustainable packaging technologies with a significant budget of approximately €20 million allocated for this initiative.

Eligible applicants must form consortia that include at least one entity from an EU Member State and two others from different Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Participants can include small and medium enterprises, large companies, research institutes, and public-private partnerships involved in bio-based industries. Importantly, the call encourages the participation of end-users and the integration of their perspectives throughout the project lifecycle.

The funding type is grant-based, offering financial support up to 60% for eligible costs related to Innovation Actions. The grant specifies a single-stage application process, with a submission deadline set for September 18, 2025. Projects are expected to demonstrate technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-8, indicating a focus on operational environment testing and scale-up of innovative packaging solutions.

No specific countries are mentioned as the opportunity is open to entities in the EU and associated countries. The grant aims to establish full-scale manufacturing facilities and value chains for sustainable fibre-based packaging, promote circular bioeconomy principles, and enhance sustainability and safety in packaging alternatives to fossil-based materials.

Proposals should be comprehensive, addressing challenges in material supply, sustainability, legislation, and market dynamics. They must demonstrate scalability and the complete value chain, including end-of-life solutions, recycling, and reuse options while adhering to the safe-and-sustainable-by-design framework.

The call aligns with various EU strategies, including the Bioeconomy Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan, and stresses the importance of addressing environmental impacts caused by fossil-based packaging. It emphasizes contributions towards creating a circular economy by replacing single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives and generating significant societal and economic value through employment opportunities.

Additionally, co-funding is required, where applicants must contribute in-kind operational costs within the specified range. Success rates in similar Horizon Europe initiatives typically range from 10-39%. The application process demands adherence to submission guidelines, eligibility conditions, and compliance with EU regulations concerning funding participation.

In summary, this grant represents a significant opportunity for collaborative projects aimed at innovative, sustainable solutions in the packaging industry, tackling critical environmental challenges while advancing the circular bioeconomy across Europe.

The HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-03 call, titled "Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties," is part of the HORIZON Call Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025). It is a HORIZON JU Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call employs a single-stage submission process. The opening date for submissions is April 3, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is September 18, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The budget allocated to this topic is approximately 20,000,000 EUR. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 1.

Successful proposals are expected to contribute to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Industrial strategy, the EU Biodiversity strategy 2030, the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products, the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and the Eco-design for sustainable products regulation.

The expected outcomes of the projects include: Establishment of a full-scale manufacturing facility and related value chains for the large-scale production of sustainable fibre-based packaging. Availability of a wider range of circular bio-based packaging products that meet market demands and ensure end-user acceptance. Enhanced sustainability, safety, and circularity of packaging compared to existing fossil-based and bio-based benchmarks. Increased societal value through direct and indirect employment at local and regional levels.

The scope of this call focuses on addressing challenges in the packaging industry related to material supply, sustainability, legislation, and market dynamics, particularly the environmental impact of fossil-based plastics. It aims to promote fibre-based packaging as a sustainable alternative, given its established recycling routes and the emergence of new production technologies that yield improved properties.

Proposals should include: Scaling up production technologies to TRL 8 and deploying the complete value chain for fibre-based packaging materials with improved properties, addressing relevant market applications, including consumer/industrial primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, as well as fibre-derived packaging. Demonstrating the application of targeted fibre-based materials in end packaging products at TRL 8, meeting market requirements. The use of bio-based add-ons is allowed if they do not hinder the end-of-life processes and if fibre-based materials are the main component. Designing packaging products for circularity and validating their sustainable end-of-life at TRL 6 and above, including recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing.

In addition to the general requirements, proposals should: Consider end-users' perceptions and preferences throughout the product lifecycle. Apply the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework developed by the European Commission and provide recommendations for its further advancement, including thresholds for assessing SSbD methodologies and identifying data gaps related to safety, environmental, and socio-economic factors. Address the regulatory status and safety of the demonstrated packaging products for their intended use, with specific reference to the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Ensure complementarities with existing R&I projects addressing similar challenges.

A new version of the Application Form (Part B) template is available in the Submission System as of April 4, 2025. The submission session opened on April 3, 2025.

The general conditions for participation include: Admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligibility of countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, noting that some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding. Other eligible conditions as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial setup of the grants as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are detailed in section 2.2.3 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2025.

Application and evaluation forms, as well as the Model Grant Agreement (MGA), are available in the Submission System, along with the CBE JU Call for proposals 2025 and the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide and call-specific instructions in the CBE JU Call for proposals 2025.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

There are 51 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

To start the submission process, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service via the submission button, selecting the appropriate type of action and MGA. Existing draft proposals can be accessed through the My Proposals page on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all provisions and utilize available support resources, including the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and the Partner Search tool.

In summary, this call aims to foster innovation in the packaging industry by promoting the development and scaling up of sustainable, circular, and safe fibre-based packaging solutions. It encourages collaborative projects that address the entire value chain, from material production to end-of-life management, while also considering regulatory aspects and consumer preferences. The call is designed to support the EU's broader environmental and bioeconomy goals by reducing reliance on fossil-based plastics and promoting the use of renewable, bio-based materials in packaging.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the Horizon Europe framework and the nature of Innovation Actions, eligible applicants are likely to include a mix of entities such as: SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other relevant organizations involved in the bio-based sector and packaging industry. Participation of end-users and consumers is encouraged. Eligibility extends to entities from non-EU/non-Associated Countries under specific provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG], as indicated under the "Type of MGA" (Model Grant Agreement) section. This implies that funding is provided based on a detailed budget submitted by the applicants.

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of the call, particularly the need to scale up production technologies and deploy complete value chains, suggests that a consortium of multiple applicants is highly encouraged, if not required. The partner search announcements further support this assumption.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for entities within the EU. However, the opportunity also mentions that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. Refer to the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for detailed information on eligible countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is the packaging industry, with a specific focus on circular bio-based solutions. This includes: Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, Sustainable Packaging, Fibre-based Materials, Recycling, Reuse, Remanufacturing, and Bio-based Chemicals.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are explicitly mentioned, but the call is focused on the EU and countries associated with the Horizon Europe program. The possibility of non-EU/non-Associated Countries participating with specific funding arrangements is also mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is primarily focused on demonstration and scale-up, with a target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 8 at the end of the project for production technologies and application of fibre-based materials. The validation of sustainable end-of-life solutions should be at TRL 6 and above.

Funding Amount: The budget overview provides indicative funding amounts for various types of actions under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) 2025 call. Specifically, for the HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-03 topic, the budget is around EUR 20,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their research, development, and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal by the deadline.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. Applicants should refer to the detailed call documents and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for specific co-funding requirements.

This opportunity, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-03, is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). It aims to foster innovation in the packaging industry by promoting the scale-up and deployment of sustainable, circular, and safe fibre-based packaging materials. The call encourages projects that can demonstrate the complete value chain, from production technologies to end-of-life solutions, with a focus on replacing fossil-based plastics with bio-based alternatives. Successful projects are expected to contribute to various EU strategies and regulations, including the Bioeconomy Strategy, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. Applicants should form consortia to address the complex challenges of scaling up production, meeting market requirements, and ensuring the sustainability and safety of the proposed packaging solutions. The funding available for this specific topic is approximately EUR 20 million, and the application deadline is September 18, 2025. The call emphasizes the importance of considering end-user perceptions, applying the safe-and-sustainable-by-design framework, and addressing the regulatory status of the demonstrated packaging products.