Developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials applying biotech solutions

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 focuses on developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials using biotech solutions. This forthcoming action is categorized as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), with a budget of €10 million aimed to support two projects, each receiving €5 million in funding. The application process is single-stage, with the opening date set for April 20, 2027, and the deadline for submissions on September 22, 2027.

Eligible participants include universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, and public-private partnerships. Industrial value chains from sectors such as packaging, construction, renewable energy, and transport are required to participate in the consortia to demonstrate solutions on a pilot scale. While the funding is based on a lump sum grant model, the involvement of industrial partners is crucial for the project's success.

This grant opportunity aims to align with multiple EU initiatives such as the European Green Deal and regulations regarding packaging waste, emphasizing sustainable practices in the circular economy. Proposals should advance biotech solutions for recycling complex plastics, including multi-layer and composite materials, and provide recommendations for regulatory risk assessments aligned with sustainability frameworks.

The expected outcomes include demonstrations of pilot-scale recycling technologies that effectively address environmental and economic considerations. Overall, this opportunity invites innovative collaborations aiming to tackle the challenges associated with recycling complex plastic waste, contributing significantly to the circular economy and resource efficiency in Europe.

This is a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focused on developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials using biotech solutions. The call falls under the broader Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Call 01 single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01). The type of action is HORIZON-RIA, which stands for Horizon Research and Innovation Actions. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) type is HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. This is a forthcoming opportunity with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is April 20, 2027, and the deadline for submission is September 22, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of successful projects include:
Environment and society benefiting from recyclable plastic products that can be recycled back into high-value applications.
Industrial value chains introducing circular plastic products on the market through enhanced design for recycling and solutions for effective sorting and recycling on a large scale.
Industrial value chains being equipped with improved characterization of waste from complex plastic materials to enable its recycling.

The scope of the topic is aligned with several key European initiatives and regulations, including:
The European Green Deal
The Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste
The Waste Shipment Regulation
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan
The upcoming Circular Economy Act
The new EU bioeconomy strategy
The Life Sciences Strategy
The EU Biotech Act
The European Commission’s communication: ‘Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU’

Proposals submitted under this topic should:
Advance novel biotech solutions for recycling complex plastic materials and products (multi-material/multi-layer/composites), particularly in the packaging, construction, renewable energy infrastructure, and transport sectors.
Propose recommendations for fit-for-purpose regulatory risk assessments for novel materials and recycling technologies, including hazard identification and methodological updates, while considering the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design framework.
Consider the latest solutions in material innovation while developing novel recycling solutions, such as the application of microbes and enzymes for enhanced degradation of plastics.
Demonstrate the solutions on a pilot scale, involving the whole value chain.

Successful proposals are expected to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of the demonstrated solutions using robust evaluation methods, including lifecycle assessments such as product environmental footprint. They should also present data and evidence about the economic, environmental, and social costs and benefits of the developed solutions.

The call emphasizes the importance of industrial value chains participating in the proposed consortia to enable a demonstration of the proposed solution and involve all relevant stakeholders. Clustering with other relevant Horizon Europe projects is encouraged.

The general conditions for this grant include:
Admissibility Conditions: The proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Eligible Countries: Eligibility is described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions for funding participants from non-EU/non-Associated Countries are detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Other Eligible Conditions: These are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: Details are provided in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Evaluation and award: The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
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. Further details are available in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and 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, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA).
Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).
Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.
Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. 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

The budget overview for the call includes several topics with varying budgets, opening dates, deadlines, contributions, and indicative numbers of grants. All topics listed have a planned opening date of April 20, 2027, and a deadline of September 22, 2027.

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-02 - HORIZON-CSA: Budget 7,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-03 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-04 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 24,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 8,000,000 EUR, 3 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-05 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-06 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-04 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 9,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 9,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09 - HORIZON-IA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 6,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 4,000,000 EUR, 3 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 9,800,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 4,900,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03 - HORIZON-RIA: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 - HORIZON-CSA: Budget 3,000,000 EUR, indicative grant contribution around 3,000,000 EUR, 1 grant.

There are partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

For support, applicants are encouraged to read all provisions carefully before preparing their application. The Online Manual serves as a guide on procedures from proposal submission to grant management. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) offer guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to businesses, with a special focus on SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding. The IT Helpdesk can assist with technical aspects of proposal submission. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on tackling standardisation in project proposals. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outline the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders. Partner Search tools help find partner organisations for proposals.

In summary, this Horizon Europe funding opportunity aims to foster innovative biotech solutions for recycling complex plastic materials, contributing to the European Green Deal and the circular economy. It encourages collaborative projects involving industrial value chains and research institutions to develop and demonstrate pilot-scale recycling technologies, assess their environmental and economic impacts, and propose regulatory recommendations for safe and sustainable material innovation. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the call is structured as a single-stage process with a deadline in September 2027.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations from eligible countries. Industrial value chains are expected to take part in the proposed consortia.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a lump sum grant, under the Horizon Europe Programme. The actions are Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity encourages consortia, especially those including industrial value chains and all relevant stakeholders, to enable demonstration of the proposed solutions. While not explicitly excluding single applicants, the emphasis on value chains suggests a consortium is preferred.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Eligible countries are 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. This suggests a broad eligibility including EU, associated countries, and potentially specific non-EU countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the circular bioeconomy, specifically focusing on developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials using biotech solutions. It also touches on zero pollution, biodiversity, food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and the environment. Sectors mentioned include packaging, construction, renewable energy infrastructure, and transport. Biotechnology and biomanufacturing are also relevant.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to EU member states and associated countries. Specific non-EU countries may also be eligible based on specific provisions.

Project Stage: The project stage is expected to be at the pilot scale demonstration level, requiring demonstration of solutions involving the whole value chain. This suggests a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-7, moving from technology validation in a relevant environment to system prototype demonstration in an operational environment.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action (RIA, IA, CSA), ranging from €3,000,000 to €24,000,000 per project. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 3. For the specific topic "Developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials applying biotech solutions" (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03), the budget is €10,000,000 with an indicative contribution of around €5,000,000 and 2 grants are expected.

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 lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but can be inferred from the indicative number of grants and the competitive nature of Horizon Europe calls. Success rates are likely to be in the 10 to 39% range or lower.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly stated.

Summary: This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, part of the Cluster 6 work programme, focuses on "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment". Specifically, the topic HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 aims to foster the development and demonstration of novel biotech solutions for recycling complex plastic materials. The goal is to support the European Green Deal and the transition to a circular economy by enabling the recycling of currently difficult-to-recycle plastics into high-value applications. Projects should advance material innovation, propose regulatory recommendations, and demonstrate solutions on a pilot scale, involving the entire value chain. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a budget of €10,000,000 for the topic and an expected EU contribution of around €5,000,000 per project, with 2 projects expected to be funded. Consortia including industrial value chains are strongly encouraged. The call adopts a single-stage submission process, with a planned opening date of April 20, 2027, and a deadline of September 22, 2027. This opportunity is relevant for a wide range of stakeholders, including research organizations, universities, SMEs, and large enterprises, particularly those involved in the plastics industry, biotechnology, and waste management.