Circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling is sponsored by European Commission (Horizon Europe, HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-1-two-stage). This Horizon Europe call focuses on circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling.

Circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling | ERRIN Website Circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling Circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-1-two-stage https://ec. europa.

eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni… Scope and expected outcomes A successful proposal will contribute to the following Destination impacts: i) enhance European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence, and ii) improve on consumer and citizen benefits.

Project results are expected to contribute to at least two of the following outcomes: Roll-out of systemic solutions for textile sorting, using innovative digital technologies (such as AI, robotics, IoT and blockchain); Roll-out of feasible solutions for facilitated disintegration to be incorporated in product design, as an enabler for recycling; Increased uptake of mechanical recycling solutions that deliver competitive, high-quality secondary materials; Roll-out of thermo-mechanical, chemical and other (e.g., enzymatic) recycling solutions that are sustainable from a zero-pollution, circular material and energy efficiency perspective.

The topic aims at improved management of the end-of-life phase of textile products. Proposals should address one or more of the following subjects and aim to combine them where relevant in a systemic way: facilitation of the disintegration of textile products through design, sorting, and recycling of textiles.

Textiles are the fourth highest-pressure category for the use of primary raw materials and water and fifth for GHG emissions and a major source of microplastic pollution in production and use phases. They are also a key material and product stream in the circular economy action plan. The purpose of this initiative is also to minimise the use of hazardous substances in processing and textile treatments.

Proposals shall also demonstrate and deploy innovative solutions for increased quality, non-toxicity and durability of secondary textile materials and their processing and treatments. Facilitation of the disintegration of textile products: Beside the fibre composition affecting recyclability, textile products can also consist of various non-textile components or accessories, and can be coated, laminated or printed on.

These hard parts, trims, coatings and laminated layers hamper recycling and are a major barrier for practically all textile fibre recycling technologies, especially chemical recycling technologies. The removal of these non-textile components requires disassembly prior to recycling, adding costs to the overall recycling process.

Despite the various research projects on this topic, the implementation and uptake of these techniques is still far from reality. Proposals should address these challenges. New approaches should also be tested, involving technologies such as robotics and AI.

Irrespective of the remaining technological and economical challenges, the implementation of disintegration techniques also requires a system, in which products that are fitted with any of these techniques are properly collected, recognised, and sent towards the right facility to apply the appropriate triggering mechanism.

Systemic solutions for sorting: Over the coming years, the collected volumes of post-consumer textile waste are expected to increase by a further 65,000 to 90,000 tonnes per year due to the increased amounts of textiles placed on the market and the obligation to separately collect textile waste, which Member States have to put in place by 1 January 2025.

This will further increase the need for advanced sorting for collecting organisations in order to create economic value out of this. At the moment, sorting is still mainly a manual process, having a significant contribution to the total process costs of recycled textile fibres. The cost of manual sorting is a major barrier to cost effective production of feedstock for textile fibre recycling.

Automated sorting has the potential to deliver sufficient, well-defined and low-cost input to recycling processes, however, to date, this potential is not yet fulfilled. New technologies exist, but their limitations need to be addressed. Due to the limited penetration depth of NIR light, only the surface composition of textiles can be detected.

RFID technology requires the textile products to carry an RFID tag and an entire system behind, adapted by all parts of the value chain. Therefore, proposals should develop systemic digital solutions that facilitate traceability and comprehensive exchange of information along the entire value chain, involving the use of technologies such as blockchain, AI and IoT.

Proposals should build knowledge and competence regarding information system models, systems for data collection, provide an overview of existing standards and mapping of standardisation needs, include cost calculations and evaluation of Return On Investment (ROI), and consider implications of integrating digital information carriers in textile products.

Further development of textile recycling technologies: In view of the huge amount of textile waste, which will have to be handled due to the soon mandatory separate collection, possible product requirements such as recycled content and the potential offered by different types of textile recycling, different ways of textile recycling remain relevant and will all be needed in the implementation of the textiles strategy.

Mechanical recycling of textiles is an established technology in the market. However, the amount of spinnable fibre and the quality of the fibres should be improved. The integration of robotics, AI, or IoT components will play a role in the improvement of these processes.

Thermo-mechanical recycling is a process that is still under development and further research is needed to improve the yield of recycled content and the use of chemicals to increase the quality of the polymer. Chemical and enzymatic recycling are novel technologies.

Proposals should upscale polymer recycling of cotton via a pulping process and incorporate customer feedback for optimisation of the process and continuous delivery of suitable textile waste (in terms of purity and composition) as feedstock. Other options that can be explored are the recycling of polycotton blends and the monomer recycling of PET.

The application of these technologies in research and innovation should also be extended to other types of fibres. Clustering activities with projects under “HORIZON-CL6-2024-CIRCBIO-01-2: Circular solutions for textile value chains based on extended producer responsibility” should be envisaged.

A lifecycle perspective using LCA and LCC should be used when validating the technical and economic feasibility of the developed, improved, demonstrated and up-scaled processes. Proposals should also address the issue of side streams such as wastewater and the treatment and reuse. Novel value chain-based solutions through industrial symbiosis should be encouraged.

For comparability reasons, LCAs should use well-established methods and be based on PEF wherever feasible. Proposals should fully incorporate the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach. Particular attention should also be given to the implementation of traceability solutions, also with a view to recent policy developments, e.g. the digital product passport.

The participation of SMEs and industry is encouraged. The targeted TRL at the end of the projects is 5 to 6. Specific Topic Conditions : Activities are expected to achieve TRL 5-6 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors (2023/24) This destination and its topics target climate-neutrality, zero pollution[[ See also Destination 4 ‘Clean environment and Zero pollution’ of Horizon Europe Cluster 6.]]

, fair and just circular and bioeconomy transitions[[ Synergies ensured with Horizon Europe Clusters 4 and 5 (including their European public private partnerships), while Cluster 4 targets the industrial dimension (including digitalisation, circularity and climate-neutrality / low GHGs emissions industry transition, including developing bio-integrated manufacturing).

Cluster 5 covers cost-efficient, net zero-GHGs energy systems, centred on renewables (including the R&I needed to reduce CO2 emissions from the power and energy-intensive industry sectors, such as solutions for capturing, utilising and storage of CO2 (CCUS), bioenergy/biofuels and other industrial sectors) Cluster 6 covers the research and innovation based on sustainable biological resources (bioeconomy sectors), in particular for new sustainable feedstock development and valorisation through the development of integrated bio-refineries).]]

These cover safe, integrated circular solutions at territorial and sectoral levels, for important material flows and product value chains, such as i) textiles, ii) electronics, iii) chemicals, iv) packaging, v) tourism, vi) plastics and construction, and vii) key bioeconomy sectors such as a) sustainable bio-based systems[[ In synergy and complementarity with the EU public-private partnership for a ‘Circular Bio-based Europe’ (CBE JU), (especially as related to the size of actions – IAs and RIAs, and Technology Readiness Level and the industrial-focus of activities, with the first CBE calls expected in 2022).]]

, b) sustainable forestry, c) small-scale rural bio-based solutions, d) environmental services and e) aquatic (including marine and freshwater) value chains[[ In synergy and complementarity with the EU partnership for a climate-neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy and with the EU mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’.]]

The destination supports the European Green Deal, and in particular: the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), adopted in March 2020, and the subsequent initiatives along the entire life cycle of products[[ It targets how products are designed, promotes circular economy processes, encourages sustainable consumption, and aims to ensure that waste is prevented and the resources used are kept in the economy for as long as possible.

This plan also aims to ensure that the circular economy works for people, regions and cities, fully contributes to climate-neutrality, zero pollution and resource use decoupling and harnesses the potential of research, innovation and digitalisation]]; the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change adopted in February 2021[[ COM(2021)82 final “Forging a climate-resilient Europe - the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate”.]]

; the EU zero pollution action plan[[ COM(2021)400 final ‘Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’.]] , adopted in May 2021, with the chemicals strategy for sustainability[[ COM(2020) 667 final ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment’.]]

from October 2020 and the new approach for a sustainable blue economy[[ COM(2021)240 final ‘On a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future’.]] adopted in May 2021; the EU forest strategy for 2030[[ COM(2021)572 final ‘New EU Forest Strategy for 2030’.]]

: research and innovation will be key drivers in achieving the ambitious goals of this strategy; the EU climate law targeting climate-neutrality by 2050 and AFOLU[[ AFOLU: “Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use”.]]

climate-neutrality by 2035, which supports increased focus on bio-based circular consumption, as part of the Fit for 55 package proposed on 14 July 2021[[ COM(2021)550 final “'Fit for 55': delivering the EU's 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality”.]] ; the new European Bauhaus initiative[[ COM(2021)573 final “New European Bauhaus Beautiful, Sustainable, Together”.]]

and the renovation wave[[ COM(2020)662 final “A Renovation Wave for Europe - greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives”.]]

The wide range of EU initiatives supported by this destination includes: the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability; the revised (2018) bioeconomy strategy[[ European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European bioeconomy policy: stocktaking and future developments: report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Publications Office of the European Union, 2022, https://data.

europa. eu/doi/10. 2777/997651 .]]

and its action plan; the communication on sustainable carbon cycles; the sustainable blue economy approach and its offshoot initiatives; the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030; the farm to fork strategy; the upcoming EU agenda for tourism; the plastics strategy and the action plan on critical raw materials.

In addition, this destination will contribute to the transition pathways of energy-intensive industries, textiles, construction and agri-food industrial ecosystems. Where appropriate, proposals are encouraged to cooperate with the European Commission Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy, also for the purpose of dissemination and exploitation of results.

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to: develop the circular economy and bioeconomy sectors; ensure natural resources are used and managed in sustainable and circular manner; prevent and remove pollution; unlock the full potential and benefits of the circular economy and the bioeconomy, with clean secondary raw materials, ensuring competitiveness and guaranteeing healthy soil, air, fresh and marine water for all, through better understanding of planetary boundaries and wide deployment and market uptake of innovative technologies and other solutions, notably in primary production (forestry) and bio-based systems.

More specifically, the proposed topics should contribute to one or more of the following impacts: Regional, rural, local/urban and consumer-based transitions are accelerated towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive, just and clean circular economy and bioeconomy across all regions of Europe.

Special attention should be paid to the most sensitive/vulnerable[[ Taking into account all aspects of sustainability, i.e. social, economic and environmental, and in particular sensitivity/vulnerability to the effects of the climate change, as well as due to the current social dependency on fossil resources, especially in remote, rural and low-income regions and cities.]]

and greenhouse gas-intensive regions, based on better knowledge and understanding of science , and improved capacity to design, implement and monitor policies and instruments for circular and bio-based transitions.

European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence are strengthened by reducing the use of primary non-renewable raw materials and greenhouse gases emissions and other pollutants, achieving an improved environmental footprint (including on biodiversity), enabling climate-neutrality, zero pollution[[ See also Destination 4 ‘Clean environment and Zero pollution’ of this Cluster.]] and higher resource efficiency.

This will also be supported by increasing circular and bio-based practices in textiles, plastics, electronics and construction, developing further on industrial symbiosis as well as circularity and sustainability by design, cascading use of biomass and, clean secondary raw materials, along and across value chains.

Innovative and sustainable value-chains are developed in the bio-based sectors replacing fossil-based value chains, increasing circular bio-based systems from sustainably sourced biological resources, and replacing carbon-intensive and fossil-based systems.

Such a development will be supported through R&I in biotechnology and other enabling technologies, which is a prerequisite and driver of future solutions for a circular economy and the bioeconomy transition. This will involve with inclusive engagement with all stakeholders, including policymakers and will increase access to finance and technical support along whole supply chains for bioeconomy projects.

The benefit for consumers and citizens, including those in rural areas, are improved by establishing circular and bio-based systems based on sustainability, inclusiveness, zero pollution[[ See also Destination 4 ‘Clean environment and Zero pollution’ of this Cluster.]] , health and safety.

All value chain actors (manufacturers, retailers, service industry, consumers, public administration, including on regional level, primary biomass producers etc.) are involved to a significantly higher degree.

Multi-functionality and management of forests in Europe are safeguarded based on the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social), in particular to optimise the contribution of forests and the forest-based sector in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Potential of marine and freshwater biological resources and blue biotechnology is enlarged to i) deliver greener (climate-neutral and circular) industrial products and processes, ii) help characterise, monitor and sustain the health of aquatic ecosystems for a healthy planet and people, and iii) help in the drafting of proposals for accompanying changes in regulation where necessary. 1.

Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes Applicants submitting a proposal under the blind evaluation pilot (see General Annex F) must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos, nor names of personnel in Part B of their first stage application (see General Annex E).

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System 2. Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide . 3. Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes 4.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual This topic is part of the blind evaluation pilot under which first stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.

Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes 7.

Specific conditions: described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme] Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1) Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1) HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1.

General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13.

General Annexes HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement Facebook X-Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer: The information contained on this webpage is sourced directly from the European Commission's Funding and Tenders Portal ( https://ec.

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