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

Expected Outcome:Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Chemical Industry Action Plan. They will provide solutions in line with the objectives of the EU legislation on waste but also the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Objective 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, Seas and waters” as well as the Horizon Europe Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, in particular objectives “Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration”.Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:Wider availability of bio-based additives targeting high functional properties, stability and compatibility with polymers/matrices.Contribution to improved circularity of end products in relevant market sectors.Potential replicability into other industrial sectors to widen market opportunity.Reduction or avoidance of environmental impacts related to life cycle of additives and additive-containing materials and/or products. Scope: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. Proposals under this topic should:Demonstrate (at least at TRL 6) innovative processes for the synthesis of bio-based SSbD additives that: Enable a circular EoL for materials and/or products that are currently not recyclable and/or not biodegradable, orImprove circularity of materials and/or products, e.g., by requiring resources/energy efficient and safe conditions f