Supporting the capacity of regions in environmental sustainability assessment for the bio-based sectors

Code: 29062 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-S-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

While the bioeconomy carries great potential for achieving various policy aims related to sustainability, sustainability is not an intrinsic characteristic of the bioeconomy, but a potential it could achieve. For this reason, and to achieve the expected benefits, improving our capacity to assess the environmental impacts of bioeconomy (including any bio-based activity) development is of great importance. Regions can be considered the most appropriate territorial level at which to implement bioeconomy strategies, including for the innovative bio-based sectors.

The aim of this action is to support decision-makers to incorporate considerations of ecological limits into their regional bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps, when it comes to circular bio-based activities.

EU-wide network of pilot plants and testing facilities, improving SMEs and start-ups’ access to scale-up

Code: 29060 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-S-01 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Availability and accessibility of testing and pilot infrastructures is a key element to increase and integrate the research and innovation capacity of stakeholders across the Union, especially SMEs and start-ups that often lack the ability of performing scale-up research in-house. While the number of open access facilities is growing across Europe, there are considerable discrepancies in geographic distribution and scale, which means that many SMEs and start-ups have difficulties in getting access to scale-up facilities beyond pilot scale. As a consequence, local bioeconomy potential is not fully exploited, particularly in under-represented countries and regions. Besides making available and updating a EU-wide database of such facilities, there is also a need of turning it into a community, bringing together demand and offer and providing matchmaking and networking occasions for pilot facilities, open access labs and test rigs on one side and SMEs, start-ups, research groups and large companies on the other.

Optimised forest-based value chains for high value applications and improved forest management

Code: 29058 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

European forests are important providers of multiple feedstocks and services including biomass used for a wide variety of uses, where the assurance of sustainability plays a key role. However, they are presently facing increasing pressure from climate change and other environmental pressures.
Forest operators need to adapt to these fast-changing conditions to ensure the continued role of forests in providing biomass, enhancing biodiversity and absorbing atmospheric carbon. Sensing, data acquisition and predictive technologies can prove a key enabler for data-driven decision making in forest-based operations. These range from maintaining forest health through monitoring and corrective actions, to quality control of wood and non-wood biomass, to support decision making on the best application of each biomass (wood and non-wood, when applicable) component.

Robust and optimised industrial biotech and chemical/industrial biotech processes

Code: 29055 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Industrial biotech processes often have limitations of scaling up and continuous processing. There is an additional complexity of reduced biocatalyst robustness and poor process metrics, especially when applied in sequence with chemical pre-processing. Industrial biotech processes can be used to replace chemical conversion steps which may pose safety or resource efficiency issues (e.g. necessitating complex reactions with protective groups, hazardous solvents etc.), or may be high in energy demand (heat, pressure) etc. Vice versa, some biotechnological conversion steps can be difficult to scale up because of e.g. substrate inhibition, difficult product removal, co-factor regeneration: in this case, chemical conversion steps can provide improvements.

Development of novel, high-performance bio-based polymers and co-polymers

Code: 29052 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-04 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Many bio-based monomers and polymers are (relatively) new: while some are well characterised and already produced at industrial scale, there are hundreds of molecular structures with limited application outside the lab, which may be worth exploring in view of future upscaling and market uptake. Often, bio-based polymers have a limited application space in comparison with established fossil-based counterparts also due to some undesired properties (e.g. brittleness, low glass transition temperature). Co-polymerisation or blending with other materials could also be one way to provide a solution to overcome at least some of these issues, but research in the field is scarce due to their (relative) novelty and unavailability of materials in sufficient quantity (at least at pilot scale) to perform testing and characterisation.

Pre-normative research to develop standards for biodegradability of bio-based products in controlled and in open environments

Code: 29050 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-05 Grant | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

The amount of waste littered in the open environment and causing pollution from harmful substances released from such waste streams, e.g., from plastic littering, has reached the level of a global emergency, especially affecting soil and water quality and biodiversity in land and marine environments. The overall low level of recycling of many waste streams, including collected plastic waste, is also part of such global pollution challenge. Biodegradability of materials and products for targeted applications may offer viable end-of-life solutions in case of safe and sustainable biodegradation either under controlled conditions, i.e., in composting plants and anaerobic digestors, or in open environments. However, there is still a need for clarity on how to label biodegradable products and a lack of standards covering the range of conditions under which a (claimed) biodegradable material actually biodegrade to the desired extent and in the desired time frame to ensure a safe end-of-life.

Improve fermentation processes (including downstream purification) to final bio-based products

Code: 29048 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Fermentation of bio-based feedstock is powerful but often still cost-intensive and resource-intensive process. This is mainly due to costly enzymes, low process yields, high by-product toxicity, poor microorganism growth, high nutrient requirements but also inefficiencies in downstream purification. Moreover, most used biocatalysts are optimised for converting conventional sugars and are less effective (or unable) to deal with second generation and non-food quality sugars, thus preventing the exploitation of additional sources of biomass feedstock. Solving all these issues may require the development of new metabolic pathways and the scale-up of related processes to industrially relevant scale. In addition, the presence of by-products often requires complex and expensive downstream purification processes, especially when the desired end products are non-volatile.

Recycling bio-based plastics increasing sorting and recycled content (upcycling)

Code: 29044 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-04 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

The scope of this topic focusses on the recycling of bio-based plastics which are not already recycled with the conventional (fossil-based) plastics (bio-based PET, for example, is recycled with fossil-based PET). This means that bio-based plastics made of ‘drop-ins’ polymers are excluded from the scope.

Development of scalable, safe bio-based surfactants, with an improved sustainability profile

Code: 28998 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-05 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Surfactants are often classified by:

• feedstock for synthesis,
• biodegradability, safety and environmental effects,
• application
• chemical structure (drop-in or dedicated chemical structures).

Safety and sustainability performance improvements in bio-based surfactants are expected to have cascading impact in existing but also novel markets/applications.

Bio-based surfactants often face limitations for larger uptake such as high costs and niche applications. Moreover, their EU production is at present mainly based on primary biomass (vegetable oils, sugar and starch), bringing land use impacts but also often influencing the degree of feedstock imports. In view of the foreseen upscale of the bio-based production capacity, feedstock diversification should be sought. Other challenges are related to wider bio-based surfactants’ production/supply issues and upstream as well as downstream production process challenges, affecting the OPEX (and often CAPEX as well). For applications where surfactants are found in end products, substitution of conventional ones can result into complex re-formulation effects, affecting market uptake by brand-owners, together with an existing uncertainty of steady supply.

Selective, sustainable production routes towards bio-based alternatives to fossil-based chemical building blocks

Code: 28995 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-06 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

The production of a wider portfolio of bio-based platform chemicals is presently at low maturity, and CAPEX (and OPEX) investments are still needed to scale up production.

The bio-based platform chemicals portfolio remains relatively limited, with an approximate of 90% of the global bio-based production capacity accounted by a limited amount of platform chemicals. It is essential to progress further with the market penetration of bio-based chemicals, with a holistic consideration of sustainability across the value chain.

High performance, circular-by design, biobased composites

Code: 28993 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-07 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Many sectors applying composites in their products have set a target of shifting from fossil-based towards bio-based and/or materials with a high recycled content. Current commercial bio-based polymers and natural fibre-based materials are however suited to respond only to a part of the projected increased demand. Limitations include not being fully compatible with current industrial processing, not being able to fully meet target application requirements, and/or their higher cost vs existing solutions.

Processability during manufacturing (including aspects of thermal stability), technical performance of the end product along its life cycle, and durability are some of the key challenges to address for bio-based composites. It is also important to address the end of life and circularity challenges of composites, including recycling, re-using or upcycling.

Optimised and integrated wood-based value chains

Code: 28991 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-01 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

This topic aims to considerably increase resource efficiency by promoting cooperation of companies of different scales and other actors and move towards “zero waste, zero pollution” operations. The feedstock in scope of the topic are woody biomass from sustainably managed forests and wood industry side streams and residues.

For this purpose, seamless and efficient integration of processing technologies of main and side flows of woody biomass between various companies and other actors is needed, specialising manufacturing of diverse materials and products. This may be achieved by the creation of a symbiotic ecosystem with clusters of companies of different scale and technology providers using the residual streams of large-scale industrial plants, but also exploiting the technical opportunities from emerging manufacturing systems.

Expansion and/or retro-fitting of biorefineries towards higher-value bio-based chemicals and intermediates

Code: 28988 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Many biorefineries in Europe were built in the past decades with a rather narrow product scope (e.g., biofuel plants, pulp and paper mills).
New technologies allow expanding their production capacity to convert bio-based feedstock to added value products, following the cascading approach, and/or to produce new and higher-value products to take full advantage of the existing assets and keep them competitive with the current market requirements. In addition to that, there is a wealth of CAPEX from dismissed or declining industrial assets that could be converted as parts of the biorefinery while exploiting the existing infrastructures, resulting in lower CAPEX, and other economic and technological benefits (e.g., shorter lead times, faster implementation, fewer production time losses and lower risks compared to fully greenfield plant construction).

Bio-based packaging materials with improved properties: barrier, food contact, forming, printability, safety, recyclability /circularity-by-design

Code: 28985 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

The packaging business is undergoing considerable transformations due to pressing legislative changes, the issue of plastic littering and changes in customer behaviour. While consumer products make up a considerable share of packaging products, industrial packaging products also need to be considered. Future packaging products need to be bio-based, recyclable and/or biodegradable, lightweight and functional. A challenge is represented by the seemingly opposing requirements of barrier/surface properties (obtained by innovative coatings or multi-layered structures) and the need to make the product easy to recycle (easier with fully bio-based or mono-material structures).

Grant Scheme Save – Upgrade to British Base Housing

Code: 28976 | Identifier Code: 2nd call for Proposals | Programme name: 2799 | Start submission calls: 04/05/2023 | End submission calls: 21/12/2023

The Plan aims at the extensive energy upgrade of existing ones of homes corresponding to a reduction in primary consumption energy by at least 60%.

This purpose is planned to be completed by the utilization of incentives under the form of non-refundable financial aid for coverage investments exclusively related to the purchase and installation new equipment/materials

Save – Upgrade Homes Grant Scheme

Code: 28958 | Identifier Code: 2nd call for Proposals | Programme name: 2799 | Start submission calls: 04/05/2023 | End submission calls: 21/12/2023

European City Facility – Fifth Call for Applications

Code: 28953 | Identifier Code: Open Call | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 28/04/2023 | End submission calls: 30/06/2023

The European City Facility (EUCF) aims to support municipalities and local authorities in developing Investment Concepts related to the implementation of actions identified in their climate and energy action plans. The ultimate objective of the EUCF is to build a substantial pipeline of sustainable energy investment projects across municipalities in Europe.

Adaptation of the TEN-T to civilian-defence dual use – studies, works or mixed

Code: 28950 | Identifier Code: CEF-T-2023-MILMOB-WORKS | Programme name: 3569 | Sub-program: Connecting Europe Facility – Transport | Start submission calls: 03/05/2023 | End submission calls: 21/09/2023

This call is under the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027 – multiannual work programme for the transport sector and specifically aims at adapting sections of the TEN-T for civilian-defence dual-use (addressing both civilian and defence needs) in the context of the Action Plan on Military Mobility (for instance technical requirements on dimensions and capacity.

Valorisation of aquatic biomass waste and residues

Code: 28946 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-04 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023

Call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights and procedural rights

Code: 28930 | Identifier Code: JUST-2023-JACC-EJUSTICE | Programme name: 2915 | Start submission calls: 04/05/2023 | End submission calls: 04/10/2023

This call aims to facilitate effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all, and effective redress, including by electronic means (e-Justice), by promoting efficient civil, and criminal procedures, and by promoting and supporting the rights of all victims of crime as well as the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings.