Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries

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Code: 40523 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-01 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

While significant advancements have been made in recent years in the development of core biorefinery processes, challenges remain in separation and purification steps.

Separation and purification, both upstream and downstream of biorefinery processes, play a key role in determining quality and purity of the intermediates and products. They usually account for a significant share of the whole process costs and are often a relevant bottleneck towards full-scale deployment and commercialisation of bio-based products (including intermediates, chemicals, ingredients, materials).

It is therefore crucial to develop new technologies to improve separation and purification performances, while at the same time improving resource efficiency and reducing costs.

Films and coatings for circular packaging

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Code: 40520 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-05 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

Many research projects have focused on developing and piloting bio-based coatings and films for application in food and non-food packaging. When targeting packaging, a primary challenge is achieving adequate barrier properties (against oxygen, moisture, grease and volatiles), as bio-based materials are typically more hydrophilic than conventional plastics like PE or PET.

Processing methods, including bio-based coating deposition, face scalability and reproducibility issues. Coatings must adhere well to substrates while maintaining technical properties and not hindering sustainable EoL.

Printability is another concern, as bio-based surfaces can cause ink issues like smudging or poor adhesion. Durability under stress and operating conditions is still a challenge for certain bio-based applications.

Finally, design for sustainability and sustainable EoL are critical to reduce over-packaging, avoid littering and increase circularity, according to the principles set out in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability

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Code: 40517 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

While additives are often necessary to confer specific properties to materials and/or products, their presence can hinder their circular EoL (including – depending on the application – recycling and/or biodegradation).

Risks upon recycling and biodegradation encompass the release into the environment of harmful substances, e.g., release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic metals, microplastics.

Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues

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Code: 40514 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

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.

SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources

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Code: 40512 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

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.

Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass

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Code: 40509 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

Diversifying biomass feedstock resources for bio-based products is key to contribute to resilience and strategic autonomy of bio-based operations. Industrial biotechnologies have showcased that they can play a key role to address residual biomass into valuable bio-based products.

However, scaling up from research to demo scale requires addressing systemic and technical challenges. This entails the integration of adequate pretreatment and conversion processes, tailored to the targeted residual biomass and its composition variability, in order to achieve high yield, titre and selectivity.

At the same time, it requires that these processes are scalable and sustainable. Moreover, effective logistics are needed to mobilise the residual biomass, requiring cooperation with primary producers, waste management operators and other biomass providers.

High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets

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Code: 40506 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-04 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

Bio-based thermosets have a proven capability to achieve challenging technical performances for high demanding applications including transport, energy, electronics, among others. However, due to their cross-linking nature, the recycling of thermoset materials (including composites) is more challenging without compromising the technical performances. Thus, eco-designing bio-based thermoset materials to be both circular and high-performing remains a significant challenge in scaling-up towards competitiveness and higher sustainability.

Some of the key challenges to address for bio-based thermosets include processability during manufacturing (including aspects of thermal stability), technical performance (e.g., mechanical properties, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, durability) of the end-product along its life cycle, durability, EoL and circularity, including recycling, re-using or upcycling solutions.

Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy

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Code: 40503 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-04 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

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.

SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care

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Code: 40500 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

The home and personal care sector, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and cosmetics, is a key industry where sustainability and performance challenges and demands are high. SSbD and competitive bio-based solutions are needed, for instance, for solvents, surfactants, preservatives, antimicrobial and antifungals agents, disinfectants, film forming agents, emulsifiers, emollients, exfoliants and abrasives, stabilisers, polymers and thickeners, conditioning agents, active ingredients, and other functional compounds.

SSbD bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products

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Code: 40497 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-02 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

FAO estimates that up to 40% of food crops are lost due to plant pests and diseases globally every year.

Chemical synthetic products are conventionally used to protect crops and other plants from pests and diseases. In parallel, the EU is largely dependent on imports of both mineral and chemical fertilisers to grow crops.

In both cases, over-use of synthetic/mineral products also poses concern for soil health and food quality. Moreover, the unequal distribution and depletion of non-renewable sources risks disrupting supply chains, particularly during energy crises.

Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres

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Code: 40494 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-03 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

Fossil-based synthetic textile fibre production has grown significantly, reaching 67% of the global market in 2023.

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.

Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech

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Code: 40491 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-01 | Programme name: 23015 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

Biorefineries integrating biotechnologies, underpinned by sustainably sourced bio-based feedstock, have a huge potential to transform the EU manufacturing landscape, spurring socio-economic growth, fostering job creation and contributing to defossilisation of the EU economy.