Proposals under this topic should address several of the following:

• Facilitate collaboration between at least one energy intensive industrial sector, with manufacturers of net-zero technology solutions, as well as where relevant engineering, and construction firms for the smart integration of one or several net-zero technologies in specific processes. Several energy intensive industrial sectors can be considered if they share similar processes and energy related needs;
• Assess the needs of the proposed industrial sector(s) to define ‘standard’ process(es) and assess operational energy needs through a closer exchange with net-zero technology manufacturers and suppliers in order to effectively design sustainable and cost-efficient energy solutions;
• Optimise and adapt technologies, products and solutions proposed by manufacturers of net zero technologies to meet the industrial sector needs;
• Propose and demonstrate the necessary modifications of processes for the efficient and flexible incorporation and the integration of net zero technologies in existing industrial plants;
• Demonstrate the effectiveness and replicability of the proposed approaches allowing to move from custom-built project by project approach for each specific industrial plant and process, to more streamlined, standardised yet flexible solution for industrial sector(s) and/or processes;
• Develop solutions offering an optimal balance between standardisation and flexibility as well as providing high-quality tailored solutions at competitive prices;
• Support the development of skills for the integration of net-zero technologies into energy intensive industries.

Proposals submitted under this topic should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination. As project output an elaborated exploitation plan should be developed, including preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation and deployment (feasibility study, business plan and financial model) indicating possible private and public funding sources (e.g. Innovation Fund, InvestEU and cohesion policy funds). Societal- and environmental impact as well as implications for the workplace (including skills and organisational changes) should be outlined. Proposals should ensure dissemination and replication of the proposed approaches for wide deployment, including advising and building capacity among the relevant actors. Proposals should be based on a sound techno-economic analysis that confirms the economic viability in view of evolving regulatory frameworks.

The inclusion of a GHG avoidance methodology is recommended and should provide detailed description of baselines and projected reductions.

The attention of proposers is also drawn to the complementary topic HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-05: Advanced manufacturing technologies for leadership of EU manufacturers in products for the net-zero industry.

This topic implements the co-programmed European partnerships Processes4Planet and Made in Europe.