SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications

Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan, the EU Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Industrial strategy, as well as the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for the chemicals industry.

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

• Availability of broader range of SSbD bio-based (co-)polymers meeting market requirements.
• Improved or novel properties unlocking novel applications and/or market sectors.
• Improved sustainability, safety and circularity when compared to selected benchmarks.
• Improved social acceptance of bio-based products in the transition to sustainable materials.

There is a strong annual growth rate in the global market share of bio-based polymers and co-polymers; albeit still representing a small fraction of the total market volumes. There is a need to scale up the most promising and innovative solutions to demonstrate the safe, sustainable, cost-competitive, and circular production of bio-based (co)polymers with high bio-based content and adequate performances. This is essential to unlock market opportunities in sectors where bio-based polymers are currently underrepresented. Bio-based polymers and/or co-polymers are in scope.

Proposals under this topic should:

• Demonstrate (at end TRL: 6-7) the production of bio-based (co-)polymeric structure(s) with market potential and functional properties at least on par with fossil-based counterparts (if any) and/or higher than bio-based benchmarks (if any). Adding new functionalities compared to benchmarks is also in scope.
• Address resource efficiency measures to achieve process costs reduction and higher sustainability, as for example reduction of primary energy consumption, water recycling, (bio)-catalyst recycling, side-streams/by-products valorisation, etc.
• Validate (at minimum at end TRL 5) the targeted (co-)polymeric structure(s) into end products proving to meet market requirements. Ensure (co-)polymer(s) processability and compatibility with downstream conversion route(s) into end products, targeting at least two application sectors. The development of bio-based composites as end products is not in scope.
• Eco-design the bio-based (co)polymeric structure and related end product(s) to address sustainable End of Life. Validate the selected EoL option(s) of the (co)-polymeric structure at minimum at TRL 5. Address compatibility with existing EoL-frameworks and/or propose necessary changes/adaptations. Landfilling/incineration are not in scope as EoL options.

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 2025^[1], proposals under this topic should:

• Include a task to apply the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission for the polymer formulation(s). Under this context, projects are expected to also contribute with and develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework.^[2]
• Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe and BBI/CBE JU.^[3]

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

[2] More specifically, provide thresholds that can support the criteria definition and improvements for the assessment SSbD methodologies, including any specificities related with bio-based chemicals. Recommendations should also include identification of data gaps, especially safety, environmental, but also socio-economic factors, as well as priorities for data collection.

[3] For example, BBI-JU: BIOMOTIVE, EFFECTIVE, VEHICLE; CBE-JU: ELLIPSE, HICCUPS, PROMOFER. The list is not exhaustive.