SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources

HORIZON-JU is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (CBE JU) topic allocating approximately €6.5 million to develop Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design bio-based polymers from alternative feedstocks, explicitly excluding primary agricultural and forestry biomass. Proposals must target TRL 5 for production processes, validate application performance and end-of-life options at least at TRL 4 across at least two market sectors, include a mandatory SSbD assessment and adopt a multi-actor consortium involving feedstock providers, waste managers and end-users. Eligible applicants follow Horizon Europe rules and include research organisations, universities, SMEs and industry from EU Member States and Associated Countries, with grants reimbursing up to 60 percent of eligible costs and 100 percent for non-profit entities. The call opened on 23 April 2026 and the single-stage submission deadline is 22 September 2026 via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 — RIA

Essential facts

What it funds:Research and Innovation Actions to develop scalable, safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) processes for synthesis or extraction of bio-based polymer(s) from alternative feedstocks (not primary agricultural/forestry biomass). Projects should reach process maturity around TRL 5 and demonstrate polymer suitability and end-of-life options at least at TRL 4 in applications across at least two market sectors. Proposals must include SSbD assessment and multi-actor involvement (feedstock providers, waste managers, end-users, consumers where relevant). ¹

Who can apply:Consortia of research organisations, industry (including SMEs), technology providers and other stakeholders eligible under Horizon Europe / CBE JU rules; multi-actor participation (feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users) is required.

Budget and scale:Topic indicative contribution: around €6.5 million. Call-level budget: €170,760,699 across multiple topics.

1. 1Develop efficient synthesis/extraction processes from alternative feedstocks targeting high yield and selectivity (deliver TRL 5).
2. 2Include pretreatment/fractionation, isolation/purification and functionalisation as relevant to application requirements.
3. 3Demonstrate technical performance in circular-by-design applications in at least two market sectors (test at least TRL 4).
4. 4Assess and test safe, sustainable end-of-life options (recycling, biodegradation, reuse, remanufacturing); test biodegradability against standards when applicable.
5. 5Apply the EU SSbD framework and ensure complementarities with past/ongoing R&I (Horizon 2020/HE, BBI JU/CBE JU).

Where to apply:Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal under call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026. Follow Horizon Europe eligibility, admissibility and evaluation rules (see call documents and Annexes).

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU reference documents and SRIA available at CBE JU reference documents.

Key facts and administrative information

Call identifier:HORIZON-JU. Programme: Horizon Europe implemented by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Type of action: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Type of Grant: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG). Opening date: 23 April 2026. Deadline (single-stage): 22 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Submission channel: Funding & Tenders Portal electronic submission (Submission System).

Primary objective:Develop scalable, safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) processes to obtain bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock sources (non-primary biomass from agriculture and forestry), and validate material performance and end-of-life (EoL) options in at least two market sectors.

Expected outcomes and scope (detailed)

Expected policy contributions:results should contribute to the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Chemical Industry Action Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal. Project-level expected outcomes are detailed below.

1. 1Sustainable feedstock diversification for the production of bio-based polymers.
2. 2Scalable process(es) for obtaining SSbD bio-based polymers from bio-based feedstock alternative to primary biomass.
3. 3Enlarge the portfolio of performant bio-based polymers, opening up new market applications.

Scope and technical expectations (requirements applicants must address):

1. 1Develop processes at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 for synthesis and/or extraction of bio-based polymer(s) from alternative feedstock, targeting high yield and selectivity.
2. 2Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is explicitly out of scope. For allowable feedstock types consult the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and its Annex V CBE JU reference documents.
3. 3Where relevant, develop adequate pretreatment/fractionation of the targeted feedstock to enable efficient polymer production.
4. 4Both novel bio-based polymers and established polymers currently produced at scale from primary feedstock are in scope (i.e., substitution routes are eligible).
5. 5Integrate isolation and purification steps as needed to meet application-specific quality requirements; functionalisation of purified bio-based polymers to achieve targeted properties is in scope.
6. 6Demonstrate suitability of the obtained bio-based polymers in circular-by-design final applications, tested at least at TRL 4, and target applications across at least two distinct market sectors.
7. 7Validate technical performance and demonstrate that materials/products meet market requirements for chosen sector(s).
8. 8Test and demonstrate suitable, safe and sustainable end-of-life (EoL) options (recycling, biodegradation, re-use and/or re-manufacturing) at least at TRL 4. For biodegradable polymers, test biodegradability according to existing standards and methods.
9. 9Include a task to apply the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for the assessment of targeted bio-based polymers, using the guidance and methodological tools made available by the Commission and JRC.
10. 10Adopt a multi-actor approach (MAA): involve bio-based feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sector(s), and consumers where relevant (consumer-facing products).
11. 11Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and other Clusters, BBI JU/CBE JU projects).

Eligibility, participation and formal conditions

The call follows Horizon Europe rules and CBE JU-specific Annual Work Programme provisions. Detailed admissibility, eligibility and other participation conditions are described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (Annex A–G), in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, and in call-specific documents available on the Funding & Tenders Portal and CBE JU website CBE JU reference documents.

Eligible countries and geographic scope:Eligibility follows Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. This includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as automatically eligible. Some non-EU/ non-Associated 'third' countries may participate and receive funding where specific arrangements exist; applicants must consult Annex B and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for country-by-country provisions.

Eligible applicant types:A broad set of legal entities typically eligible under Horizon Europe RIA are expected to be able to apply: universities and higher education institutions, public research organisations, research and technology organisations, large enterprises, SMEs (including startups, scaleups), non-profit organisations, industry associations, waste management operators, feedstock providers, producers, and other private and public legal entities. Individual natural persons are not eligible as sole applicants; participation is by legal entity. Specific eligibility rules and exclusions are set out in the General Annexes (Annex B).

Consortium requirement:This topic is a Research and Innovation Action under Horizon Europe. The call is single-stage. The Horizon Europe default for RIAs is multi-partner proposals involving beneficiaries from multiple eligible countries; applicants must consult Annex B and the specific call instructions for minimum consortium rules and any exceptions. Applicants should plan for a multi-actor consortium including feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users and relevant downstream actors as required by the topic text.

Funding, budgets and financial conditions

Budget information is provided at both the overall call level and per-topic indicative contributions. The CBE JU 2026 call package aggregates multiple topics with a total indicative call budget of €170,760,699 across RIA, IA and CSA activities.

Reimbursement rate, co-funding and financial rules:Applicants must follow the legal and financial set-up described in Annex G of the Horizon Europe General Annexes and the Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA). Specific reimbursement rates for RIAs and exact co-funding requirements are defined by Horizon Europe rules and relevant call documents; applicants must consult the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and HE MGA templates for precise accounting and eligible cost rules. Financial and operational capacity checks and exclusion rules apply according to Annex C of the Horizon Europe General Annexes.

Co-funding requirement:The call documentation does not state an additional CBE JU-specific co-funding requirement beyond Horizon Europe standard rules. Applicants must consult Annex G, the HE MGA and the CBE JU call-specific instructions to determine the applicable reimbursement rate and whether any co-financing or in-kind contributions are required for their proposal.

Technical maturity, project scope and expected deliverables

Project maturity and TRL expectations are explicitly stated in the topic text:proposed R&I work must develop processes at TRL 5 for synthesis/extraction and must test suitability and EoL options at least at TRL 4. This means projects should demonstrate technology piloting at component- or system-validation-in-relevant-environment level and produce validated laboratory-to-pilot results and application testing across sectors.

1. 1Target project stage: development/validation/demonstration bridging TRL 4 to TRL 5 (lab/pilot scale demonstration of process and materials).
2. 2Deliverables to include: pilot-scale process design and demonstration data, polymer isolation/purification and functionalisation workflows, material performance validation reports for at least two market sectors, SSbD assessment using the EU SSbD framework, EoL testing reports (recycling, biodegradation, reuse, remanufacturing), and stakeholder engagement and exploitation plans.
3. 3Multi-actor engagement deliverables: letters of support or engagement from feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users and consumer representation where applicable.

Application process, forms and evaluation

Submission is via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. The call uses a single-stage deadline. Application and evaluation forms, Part A and Part B, follow Horizon Europe templates and the application form available in the Submission System must be used. Proposal page limits and layout instructions are described in the Application Form (Part B) and in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Application templates and structure:Applicants must use the online application form in the Submission System. Part A (administrative data) and Part B (technical description) are required. Page limits, required sections and formatting details are in the Application Form within the Submission System. Evaluation form templates (standard evaluation form for HE RIA/IA) will be used with necessary adaptations; applicants should consult the call-specific instructions and the standard evaluation form templates provided in the call documents.

Suggested structure for Part B (align to standard HE RIA evaluation criteria:Excellence, Impact, Implementation):

1. 1Excellence: problem statement, state-of-the-art comparison, novelty of proposed bio-based polymer route, scientific and technical methodology, TRL targets and demonstration plan (TRL 4-5).
2. 2Impact: expected contributions to EU policies, market uptake pathways for at least two market sectors, EoL solutions and SSbD compliance, exploitation and dissemination plan, barriers to market and regulatory compliance actions.
3. 3Implementation: consortium composition and roles (including multi-actor approach), work plan and work packages (R&I, pilot testing, SSbD assessment, EoL testing, stakeholder engagement), milestones and deliverables, risk management, detailed budget and resource allocation, ethics and security considerations, sustainability and standards compliance.

Applicants should attach supporting documents as required in the Submission System (e.g., ethics self-assessment, data management plan, letters of support, business plan annex for IA-Flagships where applicable). The CBE JU provides call-specific documents, templates and guidance; applicants must review the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Funding & Tenders Portal online manual.

Evaluation and award process:Evaluation criteria, scoring and thresholds are as described in Annex D (Award criteria) and Annex F (submission and evaluation processes) of the Horizon Europe General Annexes. The call uses the standard HE evaluation process for RIAs and the standard evaluation forms. Indicative timeline for evaluation and signature of grant agreements follows Annex F guidance and the Funding & Tenders Portal evaluation calendar.

Partnerships, multi-actor approach and stakeholder engagement

This topic requires or strongly expects multi-actor engagement. The text explicitly requires involvement of feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sectors and consumers when relevant. The multi-actor approach (MAA) should be reflected in the consortium composition, tasks and deliverables.

Support, guidance and additional documents

Key reference documents and guidance for applicants:CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and Annex V, Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 and General Annexes, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA), Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and call-specific guidance available on the CBE JU and Funding & Tenders Portal pages. Applicants are advised to consult SSbD guidance and JRC methodological guidance for the application of the SSbD framework Safe and sustainable by design (EU research and innovation) CBE JU reference documents.

Templates and application materials:Use the application form available in the Submission System (Part A and Part B). Follow page limits and layout in Part B. Use the standard evaluation form template as a checklist to structure the proposal. Attach required annexes (ethics, data management plan, letters of support, CVs, budget breakdowns). For IA-Flagship topics a business plan annex is required; not applicable to this RIA topic but relevant for other topics in the same call. Detailed lists of required documents are included in the Submission System and the CBE JU call documents.

Assessment of risk, success likelihood and co-funding

The Funding & Tenders Portal and the call documentation do not provide a topic-specific success rate. Horizon Europe calls are competitive; success rates vary by topic and year. Applicants should assume competition is strong and prepare technically robust, well-structured proposals with clear impact and exploitation plans. The call does not state a CBE JU-specific co-funding requirement in the topic text; financing and reimbursement rules follow Horizon Europe General Annexes and HE MGA and must be checked by applicants during proposal preparation.

• Application stages: single-stage (1).
• Success rate: not specified in call documentation; competitive and dependent on evaluation results.
• Co-funding: governed by Horizon Europe rules and HE MGA; applicants must consult Annex G and call-specific instructions for the precise reimbursement rate and eligible costs.

Practical recommendations for applicants

Proposals should:clearly justify the choice of alternative feedstock and its sustainability relative to primary biomass; define and implement pretreatment and conversion processes targeting TRL 5 outcomes; integrate SSbD assessment and demonstrate EoL options with standardised testing where applicable; engage multi-actor stakeholders early and document commitments; align work with SRIA Annex V feedstock guidance; and map complementarities with previous EU-funded projects.

Mentioned countries and geographic references

No individual countries are explicitly named in the topic text. Geographic eligibility follows Horizon Europe Annex B (EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as default eligible jurisdictions; some third countries may be eligible under specific arrangements).

Summary — What is this opportunity about and how to explain it?

This CBE JU Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action topic invites consortia to develop and validate scalable, safe-and-sustainable-by-design processes that produce bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock sources other than primary agricultural and forestry biomass. The call targets projects that reach TRL 5 for polymer synthesis/extraction processes, demonstrate material performance and end-of-life options in at least two market sectors (tested at least at TRL 4), and apply the EU SSbD assessment framework. Applicants must adopt a multi-actor approach involving feedstock providers, waste managers, end-users and consumers where relevant, show complementarities with past EU projects, and follow Horizon Europe and CBE JU administrative, eligibility and reporting rules. Financial support is provided as Horizon grants (budget-based action grants) with an indicative contribution of around €6.5 million for this RIA topic within the broader CBE JU 2026 call. Submission is electronic via the Funding & Tenders Portal single-stage deadline on 22 September 2026. Applicants must use the Application Form in the Submission System, respect Part B page limits and follow the Horizon Europe General Annexes, the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Model Grant Agreement for legal, financial and evaluation rules CBE JU reference documents Safe and sustainable by design (EU research and innovation).

Footnotes

1. 1Full topic text, procedural rules and reference documents are available from the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and the CBE JU reference documents page: ec.europa.eu and cbe.europa.eu.

Funding Opportunity Overview

This Research and Innovation Action (RIA) call is part of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) 2026 programme under Horizon Europe. The call aims to develop innovative, safe, and sustainable bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock sources that can compete with or outperform fossil-based alternatives. The initiative supports the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Chemical Industry Action Plan, and Clean Industrial Deal. ¹

Call Timeline and Submission Details

Opening Date:23 April 2026

Submission Deadline:22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (single-stage submission)

Call Identifier:HORIZON-JU

Funding Amount and Expected Grants

The total budget allocated to this topic is approximately €6.5 million. ² The call is part of a broader 2026 CBE JU programme with total funding of €170.7 million across 13 topics. ³

Eligible Applicants and Consortium Requirements

Applicants must follow Horizon Europe eligibility rules. Eligible participants include research organisations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries. The call welcomes consortia of academic and industry partnerships. Applicants from low and middle income countries associated with Horizon Europe (including Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, and the United Kingdom) may also participate. ⁴

A multi-actor approach (MAA) is mandatory. Consortia must involve bio-based feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sectors, and consumers where applicable to consumer products. ⁵

Funding Rate and Financial Conditions

The CBE JU provides up to 60 percent of eligible costs for most entities. Non-profit entities receive 100 percent of eligible costs. ⁶ Grants are awarded as budget-based HORIZON Action Grants (HORIZON-AG) under the standard Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

Project Scope and Technical Requirements

Proposals must address the development of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock sources excluding primary biomass from agriculture and forestry. The scope encompasses emerging alternative sources such as wastewater, industrial bio-based residues, and other non-primary biomass streams. ⁷

Key Technical Objectives

1. 1Develop efficient processes for synthesis and/or extraction of bio-based polymers at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, targeting high yield and selectivity
2. 2Develop adequate pretreatment and fractionation of targeted feedstock when relevant, including management of variability and contaminants
3. 3Integrate isolation, purification, and functionalisation of bio-based polymers according to specific application requirements
4. 4Test suitability of obtained bio-based polymers in circular-by-design final applications targeting at least two distinct market sectors at TRL 4 or higher
5. 5Validate technical performance and market requirements compliance for selected application sectors
6. 6Test suitable, safe, and sustainable end-of-life (EoL) options including recycling, biodegradation, re-use, and re-manufacturing at TRL 4 minimum
7. 7Apply the SSbD framework developed by the European Commission for assessment of targeted bio-based polymers

Expected Outcomes and Deliverables

Successful projects are expected to contribute to sustainable feedstock diversification for bio-based polymer production, develop scalable processes for obtaining SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock, and enlarge the portfolio of performant bio-based polymers opening new market applications. ⁸

Projects must demonstrate production of bio-based polymers with competitive or superior performance, target at least two application sectors with processability into end products, integrate eco-design principles, validate sustainable EoL options excluding landfill and incineration, and improve resource efficiency including energy and water use, catalyst recycling, and by-product valorization. ⁹

Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework

All proposals must include a dedicated task to apply the SSbD framework, a voluntary decision-making approach developed by the European Commission to guide innovation towards chemicals and materials that are safer and more sustainable over their entire life cycles. ¹⁰ The framework aims to enhance competitiveness by steering innovation towards safer and more sustainable alternatives, minimising health, climate, and environmental impacts during sourcing, production, use, and end-of-life stages. Applicants should consult the SSbD Methodological Guidance and reference the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Annex V for applicable feedstock specifications.

Complementarity and Synergy Requirements

Proposals must ensure complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and other clusters, and previous Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) or CBE JU projects. Applicants should demonstrate awareness of the research landscape and explain how their project adds value without unnecessary duplication.

Evaluation Criteria and Award Process

Proposals are evaluated according to standard Horizon Europe RIA evaluation criteria as described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The evaluation process follows procedures outlined in Annex F of the General Annexes and the Online Manual. Award criteria typically assess excellence, implementation quality, and impact potential. ¹¹

Submission and Support Resources

Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal using the application form available in the submission system. Applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, and the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for detailed guidance. ¹²

Support resources available to applicants include the Horizon Online Manual, National Contact Points (NCPs) for country-specific guidance, the Research Enquiry Service for general questions about EU research programmes, the IT Helpdesk for technical submission issues, the European IPR Helpdesk for intellectual property questions, and the Enterprise Europe Network for SME-specific advice. Pre-call activities included an online info day on 12 March 2026 and a networking event in Brussels on 21 April 2026.

Key Considerations for Applicants

• Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is explicitly out of scope; focus on alternative and unconventional feedstock sources
• Consortium must include diverse stakeholders representing the full value chain from feedstock providers to end-users and waste management operators
• Technology must reach TRL 5 for production processes and TRL 4 for application validation and end-of-life testing
• Projects must target at least two distinct market sectors to demonstrate broad applicability
• End-of-life solutions must exclude landfill and incineration; focus on circular options such as recycling, biodegradation, re-use, or re-manufacturing
• SSbD framework application is mandatory and must be integrated as a dedicated project task
• Proposals should demonstrate clear complementarity with existing research initiatives to avoid duplication
• Non-profit entities receive 100 percent funding while other entities receive up to 60 percent of eligible costs

Broader CBE JU 2026 Programme Context

This RIA topic is one of three research and innovation actions in the 2026 CBE JU call. The other RIA topics address separation and purification challenges in biorefineries (€6.5 million) and development of breakthrough sustainable bio-based textile fibres (€6.5 million). The broader 2026 call also includes eight Innovation Actions (IA) and four Innovation Actions Flagships (IA-Flagships) totalling €170.7 million across 13 topics, plus one Coordination and Support Action. ¹³

The CBE JU operates as a public-private partnership under Horizon Europe, building on the success of its predecessor, the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU). The partnership aims to accelerate the innovation process and development of bio-based solutions, accelerate market deployment of mature and innovative bio-based solutions, and ensure high environmental performance of bio-based industrial systems. ¹⁴

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU 2026 Work Programme and opportunity metadata confirm alignment with EU policy frameworks including the Circular Economy Action Plan, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and Clean Industrial Deal.
2. 2Budget allocation of €6.5 million for HORIZON-JU confirmed in CBE JU 2026 Annual Work Programme and multiple source documents.
3. 3Total 2026 CBE JU funding of €170.7 million across 13 topics confirmed in CBE JU 2026 Work Programme and ERA-LEARN documentation.
4. 4Horizon Europe eligibility rules apply to all CBE JU calls. Associated countries and low and middle income countries with specific provisions may participate as confirmed in Horizon Europe Programme Guide and CBE JU documentation.
5. 5Multi-actor approach requirement and specific stakeholder involvement (feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users, consumers) explicitly stated in HORIZON-JU topic description.
6. 6Funding rates of 60 percent for most entities and 100 percent for non-profit entities confirmed in search results discussing CBE JU funding conditions.
7. 7Scope excluding primary biomass and focusing on alternative sources including wastewater and industrial bio-based residues confirmed in topic description and search result 1 detailing Bondalti Water's participation opportunity.
8. 8Expected outcomes regarding sustainable feedstock diversification, scalable processes, and enlarged polymer portfolio confirmed in official topic description.
9. 9Specific deliverable requirements including competitive performance demonstration, multi-sector targeting, eco-design integration, and resource efficiency improvements confirmed in search result 7 and official topic documentation.
10. 10SSbD framework described as voluntary decision-making approach revised in March 2026 by the European Commission to guide innovation towards safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials over their life cycles.
11. 11Evaluation criteria and award processes follow standard Horizon Europe RIA procedures as referenced in General Annexes D and F of the Horizon Europe Work Programme.
12. 12Submission procedures and available guidance documents confirmed in EU Funding and Tenders Portal documentation and CBE JU reference materials.
13. 13CBE JU 2026 programme structure with 13 topics totalling €170.7 million confirmed in multiple sources including CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and AIMPLAS documentation.
14. 14CBE JU mission and objectives as public-private partnership under Horizon Europe confirmed in CBE JU strategic documentation and EAIC information.