European Funded Projects
European funded projects, such as PROSPER or MOEBIOS, play a key role in advancing sustainable materials and circular solutions.
Supported by the European Union, they bring together companies, research centres, and public stakeholders to collaborate on innovation.
Most of these projects aim to develop, test and validate new approaches in areas such as compostability, biodegradability, bio-based content and the efficient use of resources, but I have also included a few interesting related projects.
They also help bridge the gap between research and market deployment by supporting pilot projects and real-life applications.
By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, they accelerate the transition toward more sustainable and circular systems across Europe.
>>> Learn more about the projects funded under the EU’s “Horizon Europe” research and innovation program →
European & cross-border projects
AIM-PACE
AIM-PACE will develop a new generation of safe-and-sustainable-by-design, bio-based and circular plastics by combining AI, microbial technology, computer modelling, and polymer science.
The project will produce PHAs using bacteria, mainly wild-type strains from project partners VTT, CBC, BIOTREND and public repositories, with strain engineering used by VTT and BIOTREND where needed to reach yield and composition targets.
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AniphE
ANIPH is a
healthcare project developing next-generation wound dressings and recyclable
water-barrier packaging.
All products are made from bio-based materials that
safely break down in the environment, including soil, freshwater, and the
ocean.
ANIPH
adheres to circular design principles, ensuring that every product can return
to nature at the end of its life.
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Be-UP
Be-UP develops novel aliphatic–aromatic biopolyesters produced from
bio-based building blocks (such as bio-Butanediol (BDO), innovative
catalysts and tailored additives.
These materials are designed using
advanced modelling tools including kinetic Monte Carlo simulations,
polymerisation modelling, compounding modelling and inline rheology.
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BIO2PEs
Bio2PEs is an EU-funded project developing bio-based and biodegradable (???) polyethylene (PE) and polyester from biomass waste to support Europe’s shift toward a circular plastics economy.
Traditional plastics create long-lasting pollution, and Bio2PEs aims to tackle this by introducing scalable, sustainable alternatives aligned with the European Circular Economy Action Plan.
I will be following this project closely because PE is not biodegradable, and oxo-degradable plastics are banned in Europe ...
BIO4COAT
BIO4COAT aims to validate the use of three biobased building blocks –
1,4-biobutanediol (1,4-bioBDO), long-chain dicarboxylic acids (lcDCA),
and material sourced from biorefineries. These will be transformed into
biopolyurethane (bioPu) coatings and new sustainable coatings for
applications in eight industrial sectors: plastics, hygiene, textiles,
agriculture, horticulture, furniture, energy and construction.
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BIO4HUMAN
Bio4HUMAN is a pivotal Horizon Europe-funded project focusing on the solving of solid waste management (SWM) challenges in humanitarian settings. Bio4HUMAN’s principal objective is to provide both humanitarian aid operators and bio-based sector stakeholders with a list of bio-based solutions for solid waste management that have the potential to be applicable across various humanitarian settings.
BIO4PAK
BIO4PAK aims to create nature-inspired food packaging that not only minimizes environmental impact but also opens up new possibilities for sustainable food production.
The project develops bio-based and biodegradable materials that maintain the functional advantages of conventional plastics while ensuring full environmental safety and compostability.
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BioBIVE
BioBIVE project proposes an innovative solution based on the development of controlled release systems of bio-based compounds with bioactive capabilities to control plant pathogens in different horticultural crops (tomato, carrot and strawberry), which have been selected for their relevance in Europe, based on different socio-economic aspects.
BioCordelia
BioCordelia aims to design, develop and validate innovative lignocellulose-based biodegradable controlled-release delivery systems for agricultural inputs. The project addresses the environmental challenges associated with conventional polymer-coated controlled-release fertilisers by developing fully bio-based and biodegradable alternatives derived from underutilised agricultural and forest side streams.
BIOGEARS
BIOGEARS aims to provide the European aquaculture sector with biobased ropes, as the sector currently uses 100% non-recyclable ropes.
The biobased ropes developed will be durable to meet industry needs but will biodegrade in a shorter time and can be sustainably managed by local composting facilities. The project will develop prototypes and trial them in the Atlantic basin using Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture with mussels and seaweed.
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BIO-INSPIRE
BIO-INSPIRE strengthens regional bioeconomy clusters in Eastern and Southeastern Europe by fostering innovation and collaboration.
Its Governance Roadmap and partnerships with advanced clusters, enable regions to overcome barriers, and drive sustainable bio-based growth and foster resilient local economies across the widening regions of Eastern and Southeastern Europe..
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BIOMAT
BIOMAT is a highly innovative 4-year European Project aiming to establish an Open Innovation Test Bed (BIOMAT-TB) for providing services to a wide range of European industries and SMEs in order to accelerate and facilitate the uptake of innovation in nano-enabled bio-based cellular materials.
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biontop
Develop bio-based polymers, biocomposites, and coatings for recyclable and home-compostable packaging solutions, including trays, films, nets, and textiles, as well as reusable coated fabrics and bags made from secondary raw materials.
BioPackMan
BioPackMan is focused on designing next-generation biodegradable polymer materials to create high-performance, eco-friendly packaging solutions.
By exploring an extended range of biopolymers — including Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), Poly(butylene succinate) and its copolymers (PBS, PBSA), and PLA, the project develops custom material blends with improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, chemical resistance, and gas barrier properties.
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BIOSMATER
the BIOS MATER project takes a holistic approach to developing advanced bio-based construction materials that are durable, safe, and sustainable. It focuses on four key areas: improving material durability and performance, ensuring health and environmental safety through safe-and-sustainable-by-design, integrating circular economy principles, and driving market adoption through digital transparency and stakeholder engagement.
BIO-UPTAKE
The general objective of Bio-Uptake project is to ensure a sustainable uptake (increase the use in a 39%) of bioplastic composites through boosting a twin green and digital transformation in the European manufacturing industry.
BORN
BORN will develop a circular, safe and sustainable by design nature inspired polymer formulation that is biobased, biodegradable, compostable, thermal resistant, suitable for food contact, and low cost: a simultaneous combination of properties that no other material can guarantee.
CELLAGRI
CELLAGRI aims to replace conventional plastic mulch films with a new generation of fully biodegradable, bio‑based alternatives for agriculture and horticulture.
Thel is to develop cellulose‑based mulch films that work better for crops, are safer for the environment, and can return to the soil naturally, without leaving microplastics behind.
CERISEA
CERISEA uses a robust European work chain to produce the 5-HMF using fructose and advanced fructose from non-food side streams.
The consortium will demonstrate, for the first time in Europe, a cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient process for producing HMF at an industrial scale (TRL8), with an annual production of 3,000 tonnes of pure HMF.
CITUSAC
CISUTAC aims to increase circularity and sustainability in textiles and clothing in Europe by piloting digital repair and dismantling, by novel recycling processes and by changing sectorial and customers behaviours. It focuses on three types of products: fashion, workwear, and active goods.
COMPERF4EU
COMPERF4EU (Optimising Biowaste Composting Plant Performance for a Circular and Safe Bioeconomy Across Europe) is a European project aimed at improving biowaste composting plants performance and supporting the safe integration of biodegradable and compostable packaging through the identification of best practices, performance benchmarking, and technical and policy recommendations for more harmonised and sustainable composting across Europe.
ECHO
The project aims to engage citizens in protecting and restoring soils by building their skills and enhancing their knowledge on soils.
Citizens will actively contribute to the project’s data collection, promote soil stewardship, and foster behavioural change across the EU.
ECOSYSTEM
ECOSYSTEM adheres to a collaborative circular strategy in which raw materials will be generated from berry crop waste. Then, they will be used for the production of multifunctional polyesters and eco-active products, that will be employed in the manufacture of packaging for food and pharmaceuticals as well as mulching materials for agricultural use.
E-oilé
Through real-world testing in four use cases—olive oil, oily sauces, body oil, and facial serum — E-OilÉ will demonstrate scalable solutions at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7*). The project also integrates life cycle assessment (LCA), Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, and stakeholder engagement to ensure environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
FoWRSaP
FoWRSaP project represents a pioneering initiative at the intersection of sustainability, food technology, and waste management.
FoWRSaP addresses the challenges posed by microbial spoilage, quality degradation, and waste generation by leveraging innovative biodegradable packaging materials, fabricated from biopolymers and enriched with bioactive compounds derived from olive and date by-products and plant microbiome.
FUNBIOMAT (DE-BE)
The aim of the FUNBIOMAT (Belgian-German) project is the development of masterbatchs (MBs) highly filled in natural fibers, which will enable the manufacture of biodegradable materials in a extrusion process, with improved mechanical properties and improved barrier function against gases.
FURIOUS
FURIOUS aims to develop new bio-based materials satisfying a set of target properties not addressed by available bioplastics and where traditional plastics are still widely employed: biomedical and electronic packaging, the automotive sector and underwater devices.
GRECO
GRECO is an innovative project designed to address key challenges in the bioeconomy and sustainability sectors.
Coordinated by the prestigious Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GRECO brings together a consortium of experts from 14 European countries, working towards creating impactful solutions that advance the bio-based industry.
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INSOIL
INSOIL aims to optimize, validate and deploy three families of in-soil
biodegradable, bio-based solutions for crop production: mulch films,
plant guards and controlled release fertilizers (CRFs).
The goal is to
promote biopolymer and additives production from sustainable feedstock,
reduce plastic pollution, lower synthetic agrochemical use, and advance
the regulation, social acceptance, and implementation of biodegradable
bioplastic products.
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mAgIcbiomat
Biodegradable plastics are designed to break down in controlled waste management conditions. However, when discarded or lost to the environment they often fail to decompose completely, contributing to littering and plastic pollution. To fully address the issue of plastic pollution, we need innovative solutions.
The MAGICBIOMAT project will utilise AI software to design and develop bio-based materials that are ‘programmed’ to biodegrade in real marine and terrestrial environments.
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MoeBIOS
MoeBIOS proposes to implement a new value chain that incorporates advanced sorting, conditioning, and valorizing processes within the existing infrastructure of industrial recycling facilities.
The project targets bioplastics that lack established recycling processes, such as PLA, PHA, PBS, and PEF, with the potential inclusion of PBAT.
The recycling processes aim to reach at least the same quality and functionality as the original materials.
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nenu2PHAr
Nenu2PHAr partners will develop, an original route to produce PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) from sustainable and renewable resources: micro-algae biomass using CO2 as carbon source and processed by selected bacterial strains. PHA are a group of biopolymers recognised as attractive substitutes to fossil fuel-derived plastics in a wide range of applications. Indeed, they are renewable, biodegradable and bio-based polyesters..
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PHACTUS
PHACTUS aims to scale up a first-of-its-kind continuous process for producing biodegradable polymers (the copolymer PHBV, part of the PHA family) from organic waste using mixed microbial cultures.
The process will integrate continuous upstream and downstream steps, along with advanced online monitoring, process modelling, and digital tools, to improve robustness and control.
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polymeer
POLYMEER aims to establish a sustainable bio-based value chain for bioplastic products, using brewers’ spent grain (BSG) as feedstock. Focused on agricultural films, brewery tertiary packaging, and automotive textiles, the project designs bioplastics to be recyclable and/or biodegradable for environmental sustainability.
PRESERVE
PRESERVE is a European research project that develops solutions to improve the recyclability of food packaging . The 4-year project started in January 2021 and receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 multiannual financial framework.
PROSPER
The PROSPER project aims to cover the entire value chain of bio-based
plastics sorting and recycling. It will demonstrate a system to achieve a
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 by establishing pilot programs in
partner countries to sort, and chemically and mechanically recycle
bioplastics.
Additionally, the project will assess the costs and
contributions necessary under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
schemes from the bioplastics industry to ensure proper financing for
recycling facilities.
PROTEUS
At the heart of the PROTEUS project is the world’s first industrial-scale biorefinery, transforming Europe’s abundant brown macroalgae resources, particularly L. hyperborea, through formaldehyde-free harvesting and extraction techniques. By pioneering eco-friendly methods, the project aims to unlock the full potential of this natural resource, creating greener alternatives for everyday products in food, animal feed, personal care, industrial products. This cutting-edge biorefinery supports sustainable development and advances the circular bioeconomy..
ReBioCycle
ReBioCycle provides a portfolio of bioplastic sorting and recycling technologies within three complementary waste-processor-centric hubs at a demonstration scale and in the real operational environment the effective and efficient recycling of three types of bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, composites) to demonstrate higher impact of obtaining the same or superior grade recycled polymers and other higher–value applications.
REBIOLUTION
The REBIOLUTION project aims to establish well-defined properties to enhance sustainability, utilizing non-toxic substances, reducing non-renewable resource consumption, and ensuring recyclability and biodegradability at the same time, both in home composting as well as in soil, freshwater and marine environments.
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REPLAY (FR-CH)
The REPLAY project paves the way for two years of cross-border collaboration between France and Switzerland on a key challenge for the plastics industry: facilitating the use of recycled and bio-based plastics in injection moulding processes, using an advanced simulation tool based on digital twins.
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RUBBIO
RUBBIO is redefining the future of sustainable rubber in Europe. The project combines advanced biotechnology, microbial fermentation, and chemical engineering to transform starch-rich food waste—such as bread and potatoes—into high-performance, bio-based rubbers for industrial sectors like footwear and technical flooring.
SATISPHACTION
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer a renewable and biodegradable alternative, but their high production costs and processing difficulties limit large-scale adoption.
SATISPHACTION addresses these limitations by developing chemical and biological upcycling processes that recover and transform PHA waste into high-quality new materials.
SISTERS
The SISTERS project aims to reduce food loss and waste in the main stages of the Food Value Chain in Europe through innovations targeted to each stage of the chain:
new tools for primary producers for promoting direct and Short Chain sales (farmers); new technological innovations in packaging for processors and retailers; and awareness campaigns for retailers and consumers on food loss and waste.
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SOUL
Traditional plastic products can pose a risk for the environment when not properly removed and disposed, when they cannot be recovered from soil, or when the recycling costs are too high.
SOUL will develop and validate 11 BPSs that are biodegradable in soil and compatible with various end-of-life scenarios, including composting, reuse and recycling for products not intended to remain in soil after their use.
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SOWISE+
SOWISE+ is a project that will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind multipurpose biorefinery for the valorisation of urban biowaste and post-consumer absorbent hygiene products.
By transforming organic urban waste into polyhydroxyalkanoates, in particular PHBV, and recovering high-quality cellulose from AHPs, SOWISE+ will showcase an innovative model of urban-industrial symbiosis and support Europe's transition towards a circular bioeconomy.
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STAND4BIO (EU-SE)
The Stand4Bio project aims to map and evaluate existing standards and identify the need for new or updated standards in bio-based products and industrial biotechnology. The scope includes standards for bio-based materials and products, industrial biotechnology, wood-based products, and biomass.
The goal is to provide guidance and support for continued development that drives innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability.
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TERRIFIC
International competitiveness, linked to high energy prices, dependencies in raw materials, inflation and other hurdles hamper a fast transition of industries to a resource-efficient, emissions-neutral economy.
TERRIFIC seeks to overcome these challenges by demonstrating a pathway to decarbonisation and circularity in packaging solutions..
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TextileWaVE (PT-UK)
TextileWaVE is an initiative that joins scientists, stakeholders from the textile industry (designers and manufacturers) and waste managers with the purpose of implementing the organic valorisation of cellulose-based textile waste, outlined and promoted by eco-design principles.
TRANS-lighthouses
The TRANS-lighthouses project aims to understand the strengths and limitations in the design and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS).
It proposes to contribute to rethinking and reframing the main elements that compose the complexity of creating socially and ecologically just solutions.
TRANS-lighthouses integrates a network of “lighthouses” in urban, rural, coastal and forest areas.
UPCYCLE Plastics
UPCYCLE aims to create new circular value chains that turn today’s non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials, ensuring they do not remain in the environment for centuries.
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ViSS
ViSS aims to improve and increase the production of a range of processable, safe, and cost-effective PHBV.
This will be exclusively produced and processed from industrial organic residues. ViSS PHBV be formulated and compounded to be transformed into high-performance food packaging. It will also be mechanically recyclable and biodegradable in all environments, including marine, freshwater, soil, industrial, and home compost.
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VITAL
The overall aim of VITAL is to develop innovative processing solutions for foamed bio-based Thermoplastics (b-bTPs), based on three processing value chains that cover the requirements for commercial scale processing in terms of: volume, size, materials, functionality and application.
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WooDVALOR
Contaminated wood, rich in valuable resources such as cellulose and lignin, is wasted annually, presenting a key opportunity for sustainable resource management.
WoodVALOR aims to address these issues by recycling contaminated waste wood in a biorefinery, converting it into valuable bio-based chemicals and polymers.
This process will offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials, including styrene, acrylates, and alkyd resins used in paints and coatings, meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions.
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Funding institutions
CBE JU - Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE Joint Undertaking) is a €2 billion public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium
The main goals of CBE JU are to
- accelerate the innovation process, developing novel bio-based solutions
- accelerate market deployment of existing mature and novel bio-based solutions
- ensure a high level of environmental performance by bio-based industrial systems.
BIC - Bio-based Industries Consortium
The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) is a non-profit organisation originally set up in 2013 to represent the private sector in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the European Commission, focused on strengthening the bio-based industries sector in Europe. BIC’s Industry Members cover the whole value chain, from primary production to market..
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.
It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.