Step Up to Quality

Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the Carbon Removal Certification Framework Regulation, the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the upcoming Circular Economy Act. Projects’ results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Increased availability of bio-based chemicals and/or bio-based materials from woody residues. Increased sustainability of forest-based value chains in cooperation with local forestry owners/cooperatives. Improved end-of-life (EoL) of bio-based products from woody residues. Scope: Besides thin branches, leaves and needles, which are usually left on the soil to maintain the long-term viability of the forest and soil in good condition, forestry and forest industry operations generate large amounts of woody residues which are typically used for energy or low value applications. Established process technologies for round wood and wood chips are not well suited for other streams from the forest industry which are abundantly available at production sites and could be exploited as a source of feedstock for the bio-based industries. Thus, there is the need to demonstrate techno-economic feasibility of innovative valorisation pathways to increase the value which can be derived from residues from the wood and forest-based industries while also improving sustainability compared to state-of the art valorisation routes. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (TRL 6 and above) innovative technologies to obtain bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues. Feedstock in scope includes woody residues generated at forestry and/or at industrial processing sites, including, but not limited to, bark, sawdust or residues from wood harvesting and processing. Demonstration should cover the optimal combination of innovative and scalable technologies aimed at maximising yield, selectivity and productivity across upstream pretreatment/fractionation, further conversion into chemicals/materials, separation/purification processes. The proposed technologies should address flexibility to feedstock quality variability. Validate (TRL 5 and above) the obtained chemicals/materials into end products. Assess the products’ performance and ensure that they fulfil technical performance requirements according to the end market application(s). Apply the eco-design principles, in line with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation , to the end-product(s) for sustainable EoL and test it at TRL5 and above. Incineration is not in scope. 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), ensure close collaboration with local forest owners and managers, including cooperatives and/or sectorial associations. Optimise biomass supply chain models, including sourcing, storage and/or transport as relevant for selected woody residues. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted chemicals/materials and derived bio-based product(s). 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 Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Forest ecosystem services, Forestry, Forestry, biomass production (e.g. for biofuels), Materials engineering, bio-based chemicals, bio-based materials, bio-conversion, biomass logistics, biomass supply, eco-design, forest management, forestry, safe and sustainable by design, woody residues, STEP-Biotech

Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation. Indirect contribution is expected towards the objectives of the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Obj 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters”. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements. Scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres. Enhanced circularity and prevent microplastics release compared to benchmarks. Scope: Fossil-based synthetic textile fibre production has grown significantly, reaching 67% of the global market in 2023. [1] Among bio-based fibres, cotton plays a prominent role as it is the second most produced fibre at global level; however, it bears serious environmental concerns due to its massive land use and water consumption; moreover, the EU holds a minor share of the global cotton production (around 2%) and it is expected to remain a net importer in the future. Novel sustainable sources of natural fibres require significant improvements in some steps of textile production such as retting/degumming, spinning, modification and treatment. Man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) bio-based fibres are also slightly increasing their current market share, however there is a need to improve their technical performances to meet the requirements of final textile applications. Proposals under this topic should: Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock. Bio-based textile waste is eligible as feedstock. Bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and/or the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres are in scope. Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration. Design the bio-based fibre(s) to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks, e.g., tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability. Test these properties according to existing standards/methods to assess the compatibility with end-products requirements. Design the bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end of life. Assess the actual feasibility of the targeted end of life option(s). Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the whole product life cycle. 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 [2] , proposals under this topic should: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the value chains relevant for this topic, including textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. 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 Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, including the partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] HARMSEN, P., SKRIFVARS, M. and MAGNOLFI, V., Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, BORZACCHIELLO, M.T. (editor), European Commission, Ispra, 2025, JRC140676. [2] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Materials engineering, Polymers and plastics, Textiles, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, bio-based textile fibres, man-made fibres, microplastics, natural fibres, safe and sustainable by design, textile manufacturing

Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the upcoming EU Biotechnology Act and EU Circular Economy Act. Projects’ results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Full industrial scale biorefinery and related value chain(s) for the production of nutritional food ingredients. Resilience and strategic autonomy of EU food sectors via diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources. Increased environmental sustainability of food sectors (e.g. addressing issues like land use, water use, energy consumption, nitrogen cycle, other nutrients, etc.). Improved consumers awareness and acceptance of nutritional food ingredients from alternative sources, contributing to sustainable healthy diets. Scope: Human nutrition is a key area where the bio-based industries can play an important role in addressing the present societal and climate challenges. Considerable attention is given to the utilisation of alternative sources of proteins, fibres and oils/fats, due to the increasing world population and the pressure on finite natural resources. Many sources for food ingredients, alternative to agricultural crops, exist and have been successfully piloted across the EU. However, efforts are needed to scale up sustainable processes to achieve adequate or even improved nutritional properties, ensure safety and consumers/end users acceptance, while achieving cost competitiveness. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (at TRL 8) the efficient production of nutritional ingredients for food applications. Proteins, lipids, specialty carbohydrates, and fibres are in scope. Target at least one of these as the main product driving the business case. Structural or functional ingredients such as colourants, preservatives, stabilisers, texturisers, enzymes are not in scope as the main product. Synergistic co-production of multiple and different food and feed ingredients and other bio-based products is also in scope following the cascading approach. All sources of bio-based feedstock [1] are in scope. Direct production of food from food crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture is not in scope. The use of industrial grade feedstock [2] from agricultural crops is in scope for conversion into food grade ingredients. Validate (at TRL 6 and above) the use of the obtained nutritional food ingredient(s) into the formulation of at least 1 food product proving quality, stability, nutritional and sensorial properties. Additional aspects related to prevention of intolerances/allergies, improved palatability and digestibility, health benefits, etc. are also in scope depending on the ingredient(s), formulation(s) and product(s) developed. Address resource efficiency and circularity aspects to increase economic and socio-environmental added value. When pursuing circular models, ensure that neither pathogens nor contaminants are injected back in the loop, to avoid negative toxicological effects. 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 [3] , proposals under this topic should: Assess the safety of developed nutritional food ingredients, in line with EU regulatory requirements and EFSA guidance documents. Moreover, identify potential EU regulatory gaps and propose recommendations to relevant EU policymakers on how to better support food ingredient companies (including startups and scaleups) in addressing EFSA risk assessment. As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), involve end-users (including consumers) and other relevant actors starting from the early stages to gather input, raise awareness and ultimately foster market acceptance of the targeted end-products and incorporate insights into product development. Ensure complementarities and avoid overlaps with Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Agricultural biotechnology and food biotechnology, Agricultural engineering, food safety, Food biotechnology, alternative sources, carbohydrates, circular economy, fibres, food ingredients, food products, food safety, lipids, nutrition, proteins, STEP-Biotech