Developing and embedding upcycling technologies into viable business (Processes4Planet partnership) (IA)

The EU funding opportunity focuses on developing and embedding upcycling technologies into viable businesses under the Horizon Europe program, specifically through the Processes4Planet partnership. This initiative is categorized as an Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and offers lump-sum grants. The call opens on May 22, 2025, with two submission deadlines: the first for short proposals on September 23, 2025, and the second for full proposals on April 14, 2026. Eligible applicants include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and public-private partnerships, indicating a broad range of participant roles in the value chain. The project primarily targets the sectors of industrial manufacturing, circular economy, and materials, aiming to enhance sustainability through waste reduction and resource efficiency. A consortium of at least three independent entities from different EU countries is required for participation. Geographic eligibility encompasses EU member states and associated countries, with a particular emphasis on supporting industrial recovery and upgrading in Ukraine, explicitly encouraging proposals that involve Ukrainian partners. The project stage focuses on achieving technological readiness levels (TRL) of 5 to 6, emphasizing the need for demonstration and validation of upcycling practices in real-world applications. Funding amounts range from €8 million to €12 million per project, with a total budget of €48 million allocated for five projects. The application process consists of a two-stage system, with successful candidates from the initial short proposal stage invited to submit detailed full proposals. Funding will cover up to 100% of eligible costs, though some form of applicant contribution may be expected. Common success rates for Horizon Europe Innovation Actions are estimated between 10% and 39%. Projects are encouraged to develop comprehensive frameworks addressing the economic and environmental impacts of upcycling solutions, with a strong focus on digital tools that enhance material tracking and lifecycle management. In summary, this funding opportunity aims to foster integrated systems for recycling end-of-life materials, linking various stakeholders across the value chain and emphasizing the importance of skills development and collaboration, particularly in the context of promoting industrial decarbonization and advancing circular economy principles.

The EU Funding Opportunity:Developing and Embedding Upcycling Technologies into Viable Business (Processes4Planet Partnership) (IA)

This opportunity falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the INDUSTRY two-stage call (HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-two-stage). It is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement. The call is currently open for submission.

The deadline model is two-stage. The opening date was 22 May 2025. The deadline for the first stage is 23 September 2025 at 17:00:00 Brussels time, and the deadline for the second stage is 14 April 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome for energy-intensive industries includes:

1. Proving the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of upcycling end-of-life waste materials by process industries in integrated circular schemes, particularly for supplying value chains of net-zero technologies and components.

2. Enabling a doubling of the ratio of secondary raw materials upcycled, leading to a significant increase in resource efficiency, including energy efficiency, and improved carbon lifecycle across the value chain compared to present levels.

3. Increasing the competitiveness of the European process industry, including by providing new business opportunities and revenue flows for recycling companies, especially SMEs, also for supplying value chains of net-zero technologies and components.

4. Fostering the use of digital tools, data sharing, and FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) digital assets principles.

5. Contributing to the reconstruction, recovery, circularity, and upgrading of industries in Ukraine, where appropriate.

The scope of this opportunity focuses on integrated systems for recycling end-of-life materials into valuable materials that can replace primary raw materials. This includes the entire process from collection to dismantling, separation, and final processing. The technologies and implementation, including logistics and economics, of such circular schemes should be addressed in an integrated way. The specific innovation needed will depend on the waste category addressed. Cross-sectoral elements are important and should receive due attention, even if upcycling technologies and implementation are sector/material specific.

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

1. Develop processes for the upcycling of end-of-life materials in an integrated way, including the development of better novel separation, sorting, and processing technologies, as well as digitalization and automation of the processes as necessary.

2. Integrate technologies and logistics systems into business models of circular schemes.

3. Focus on processes and secondary raw materials which offer the highest additional upcycling potential and accordingly develop novel upcycling technologies and processes including purification technologies.

4. Identify the likely impacts of the upcycling solutions with respect to economic and job creation potential, as well as environmental footprint referring to the full set of planetary boundaries including freshwater intake aspects.

5. Where relevant, minimize the presence of substances of concern to mitigate the impacts of multiple recycling loops as well as the accumulation of additives and trace materials in secondary resource streams.

6. Consider advanced monitoring and sensing along the value chains and improved data completeness, accuracy and interoperability between the process and recycling companies. In this context, digital tools, such as a Digital Product Passport for tracking and tracing of materials throughout the lifecycle of a product should be applied and data sharing should be addressed.

Proposals should include techno-economic and life-cycle assessment of the overall process (including of the carbon footprint) and demonstrate the economic viability of the approach. This can be combined with an analysis of the effect of regulatory changes and demand-side stimulation measures.

Projects are encouraged to integrate existing Hubs4Circularity as nodes in the value chains. Proposals should actively pursue the involvement of all actors in the value chain from the process industry to designers, operators, formulators, recyclers, public authorities, and standardisation actors.

Additionally, a strategy for skills development should be presented associating social partners where relevant. Particular attention should be given to the cooperation with existing initiatives having developed education- and skills activities and outcomes in this area.

Proposals submitted under this topic should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination, underlining how the proposal will serve the purpose to boost industrial decarbonisation technologies supply chain in Europe.

Under this topic, it is envisaged to include support for the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, and for this reason at least one proposal meeting the criteria set out in the specific conditions will be funded. However, it is not mandatory to include such support in a proposal.

This topic implements the co-programmed European partnership Processes4Planet.

General conditions include:

1. Admissibility Conditions:Applicants submitting a proposal under the blind evaluation pilot must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application. Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries:Described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions:Described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion:Described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5. Evaluation and award:

a. Award criteria, scoring and thresholds:This topic is part of the blind evaluation pilot under which first stage proposals will be evaluated blindly. To ensure a portfolio including support leading to the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking, but also to at least one project involving at least one non-profit partner and at least one industrial partner established and located in Ukraine, provided that the application attains all thresholds. These are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

b. Submission and evaluation processes:Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

c. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement:Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants:Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. This is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System. The standard application form is HE RIA IA Stage 1. Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, including the standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1).

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), information on financial support to third parties (HE), information on clinical studies (HE), and guidance on lump sums are also available.

Additional documents include:

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

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

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Budget overview for the topic in 2025:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-42-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: €30,000,000, indicative number of grants: 5, contributions around €6,000,000

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-43-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€30,000,000, indicative number of grants: 5, contributions around €6,000,000

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-51-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€30,000,000, indicative number of grants: 4, contributions around €7,000,000

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-11-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€13,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2, contributions around €6,500,000

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-21-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€10,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2, contributions around €5,000,000

HORIZON-CL4 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€48,000,000, indicative number of grants: 5, contributions 8,000,000 to €12,000,000

There are 29 partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Funding & Tenders Portal.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on promoting the upcycling of end-of-life materials within energy-intensive industries to create viable and competitive business models. It aims to foster a circular economy by supporting projects that develop innovative technologies and integrated systems for recycling, with a particular emphasis on digitalization, automation, and the use of digital tools like Digital Product Passports. The call encourages the inclusion of all relevant actors in the value chain, from process industries to recyclers and public authorities, and emphasizes the importance of skills development and collaboration with existing initiatives. Furthermore, it seeks to support the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine. The call is structured as a two-stage process, with a lump sum grant model, and is part of the broader Processes4Planet partnership, aiming to boost industrial decarbonization and resource efficiency across Europe.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but the call is open to a wide range of actors in the value chain, including process industries, designers, operators, formulators, recyclers, public authorities, standardization actors, SMEs, and research organizations. The inclusion of non-profit and industrial partners established and located in Ukraine is specifically encouraged.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. The actions are HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA).

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity appears to favor a consortium approach, as it encourages the involvement of all actors in the value chain. However, it does not explicitly exclude single applicants.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The primary geographic eligibility is for entities within the EU and associated countries. However, the text 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. Furthermore, there is a specific emphasis on supporting the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine.

Target Sector:The program targets the following sectors: Energy Intensive Industries, Recycling, Circular Economy, Industrial Decarbonisation, Net Zero Technologies, Digitalization, Automation, Resource Efficiency, Environmental Footprint Reduction, Skills Development, and Raw Materials.

Mentioned Countries:Ukraine, Europe.

Project Stage:The project stage targets both research and innovation actions, suggesting a focus on development, validation, demonstration, and potentially commercialization or scale-up. The emphasis on business cases and exploitation strategies indicates a desire for projects with a clear path to market.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-42-two-stage:€30,000,000 (around €6,000,000 per grant, 5 grants)

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-43-two-stage:€30,000,000 (around €6,000,000 per grant, 5 grants)

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-51-two-stage:€30,000,000 (around €7,000,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-11-two-stage:€13,000,000 (around €6,500,000 per grant, 2 grants)

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-21-two-stage:€10,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)

HORIZON-CL4:€48,000,000 (€8,000,000 to €12,000,000 per grant, 5 grants)

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

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process consists of two stages.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned. However, Horizon Europe typically funds a significant portion of project costs, implying that some level of applicant contribution, either in-kind or financial, may be expected.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, part of the INDUSTRY two-stage program and the Processes4Planet partnership, focuses on "Developing and embedding upcycling technologies into viable business." It seeks to fund projects that can prove the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of upcycling end-of-life waste materials within process industries, integrating circular economy principles. The goal is to significantly increase the ratio of secondary raw materials being upcycled, enhance resource and energy efficiency, improve carbon lifecycles, and boost the competitiveness of the European process industry.

The call encourages proposals that develop novel separation, sorting, and processing technologies, integrate technologies and logistics into circular business models, focus on high-potential secondary raw materials, assess the economic and environmental impacts of upcycling solutions, minimize substances of concern in recycling loops, and utilize advanced monitoring and digital tools like Digital Product Passports.

A key aspect is the emphasis on techno-economic and lifecycle assessments, demonstrating the economic viability of the proposed approaches, and integrating with existing Hubs4Circularity. The call also highlights the importance of skills development strategies and business cases with clear exploitation strategies to boost the industrial decarbonization technology supply chain in Europe.

Notably, the call includes a provision for supporting the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, with at least one project involving Ukrainian partners to be funded, provided it meets all thresholds.

The funding is provided as a lump sum grant under the Horizon Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) framework, with varying budgets per topic ranging from €10 million to €48 million and indicative grant sizes between €5 million and €12 million. The application process is a two-stage open call, with deadlines for submissions in September 2025 and April 2026.