SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources

Expected Outcome:

Successful proposals will contribute to the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemical Industry Action Plan, and the Clean Industrial Deal.

Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:

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

Scope:

Emerging alternative sources of bio-based polymers are gaining more and more attention as substitutes for primary biomass from agriculture and forestry. Additional R&I effort is needed to study innovative and scalable processes where bio-based polymers from unexplored/alternative resources are the main products.

Proposals under this topic should:

• Develop (at TRL 5) efficient processes for synthesis and/or extraction of bio-based polymer(s) from the alternative sources in scope, targeting high yield and selectivity.
  • Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is out of scope; for other applicable feedstock the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)^[1] and its Annex V can be consulted.
  • When relevant, develop adequate pretreatment/fractionation of targeted feedstock. Both new bio-based polymers and already established ones (but currently produced at scale from primary feedstock) are in scope.
• Integrate further isolation and purification (when relevant) of obtained bio-based polymer(s) according to specific application requirements. Functionalisation of purified bio-based polymers to achieve targeted properties is also in scope.
• Test (at least at TRL 4) the suitability of obtained bio-based polymers in circular-by-design final applications targeting at least two market sectors. Validate the technical performances of developed bio-based polymers materials/products and proving to fulfil market requirements for selected application sector(s).
• Test (at least at TRL 4) for suitable, safe and sustainable EoL options (recycling, biodegradation, re-use and/or re-manufacturing). When targeting biodegradable bio-based polymers, test biodegradability according to existing standards and methods.

In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026^[1], proposals under this topic should:

• As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), involve bio-based feedstock providers and waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sector(s) and consumers (if targeting consumer products).
• Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted bio-based polymers. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design.
• Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.

[1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents

[2] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents